A Beginner's Guide to Painting a Peace Lily

Art comes in assorted styles. Which do you prefer? What can you imagine yourself creating?

It's important to decide on a format that suits your anticipated skill level and abilities. Abstract and impressionist are good places to start, but keep it simple. A basic design is great for beginners, and once you're more experienced, you'll be able to branch out your styles and brushstroke techniques.

Before you dive into painting, you need a battle plan. As a beginner, it's best to start by drawing your idea first, so grab a sharpened sketching pencil and kneaded eraser. A few sheets of scrap paper will also come in handy if you want to practice your outline a few times before putting it on fine art paper or canvas.

Regarding paint, go with any colors you want to incorporate, but have two or three shades of green on hand. When starting out, it's much easier to use acrylic paints with thin brushes. Make sure to have water and paper towels nearby since you should be cleaning your brushes whenever you switch colors.

Canvas selection for new artists shouldn't be a chore. Don't worry about stretching fabric over frames at this point. Instead, you can purchase affordable ready-to-use sets in assorted sizes. Another option is to go with painting paper. Durable sheets made for acrylic paints are ideal because they won't bleed. Plus, you can paint directly on the pad.

When working, it's best not to look down on your design. Having an easel allows you to paint more comfortably. If you aren't ready to invest in one, you can create a makeshift easel by propping up your pad or canvas.

After you gather all your items and set up your workspace, it's time to start drawing. Don't mess with any paints yet. Since you're still new to painting, opt for a clean slate: leave your background white.

Begin by transferring your idea to the canvas by using small, light pencil strokes. For a minimalist look, sketch out a simple pot in the shape of a bowl: don't make it too complex, but perhaps give it an etched line or two so it doesn't look bland. Add a base.

Peace lily leaves come in varying shapes and sizes. For your painting, you might want to go with a longer, slender appearance for a natural feel. In the foreground, draw a few leaves coming from the pot: don't have them standing straight since the plant's foliage is well-loved for how it cascades.

For the background, do the same until the peace lily appears full. Now include lines for leaf texture.

To draw the flowers or bracts, create a thin stem growing upwards from the leaves. When the stem is above the foliage, create the flower section by widening and then tapering the shape as you go upwards. You should have something that looks like a slim and sharp teardrop.

Sketch the spadix, or center part of the flower, by creating a slender loop from the stem to about midway up the bract. Repeat this process for one or two more flowers.

While you're sketching, don't worry about stray lines. When you're satisfied with your drawing, take your kneaded eraser and softly get rid of any mistakes. Use a gentle, circular motion to lightly eliminate extra pencil strokes. Once you're finished, make sure the canvas is dusted off completely so you have a clean, flat surface for painting.

For a novice painter, it's best to use the same motions with your brushstrokes that you made with your pencil. Start with a basic green, and fill in all leaves and stems. Go with a yellow, neutral green, or light brown for the spadix. Use any solid color for the pot.

After you've painted the basic picture, it's time to spice up your creation with thicker paint and colorful visual effects. Once everything's dry, incorporate lighter and darker greens onto your leaves for lighting and shading details. Do the same for the pot, highlighting your etched features with varying hues.

It's also a good idea to outline your flower. Since you're working on a white canvas, this will allow the bracts to appear more prominent. At this point, if you want to challenge yourself by adding some shadowing, go for it.

Let your painting dry, then study it for a while. Feel free to include additional details until you feel your masterpiece is complete. Allow it to fully dry before moving it to a frame.

Congratulations, you're now an artist. Your peace lily painting will add life and beauty to any room. Keep it for yourself, or give it as a heartfelt gift to someone special.