New! Botanical/Floral Challenge - April/May 2026

TK H-H

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Welcome to the new Botanical and Floral Challenge!

Just recently, the Magnolia trees in the San Francisco Botanical Garden began blooming (they bloom January-March here), so I went to see them. We went last year as well. They're always beautiful to see when in bloom. Just for a fun fact... in the year 1940, the garden's cup and saucer Magnolia (Magnolia campbelli) became the first of it's kind to bloom in the United States. That tree still stands in the garden today! Since then, several more species and cultivars have been added. The Botanical Garden is a regular destination for me, and I frequently bring a camera to take photos for future inspiration.

Anyways... it seemed a subject suitable for the time of year and new beginnings. So for our first Botanical challenge, our subject is Magnolias!

- Use any medium of your choice.
- Any style is welcome.
- Projects can be any size.

This Challenge will run for roughly two months, till May 31st. (Title is April/May, but go ahead and start any time. We'll say the last week of March is bonus time.)
There is no specific reveal date, so feel free to post your work at any time! You're welcome to post rough sketches, works-in-progress and completed works.

Here's a selection of references to get you started. Use them as-is, or use them for inspiration!

hhach-magnolia-2388070.jpg

*From Pixabay (hhach)

martinophuc-magnolia-flower-8635583.jpg

* From Pixabay (martinophuc)

165106-magnolia-4115512.jpg

* From Pixabay (photographer not listed)

josch13-michelia-champaca-340540.jpg

* From Pixabay (josch13)

Final - nennieinszweidrei-star-magnolia-8621246.jpg

*From Pixabay (nennieinszweidrei)

Final - hans-magnolia-324216.jpg

* From Pixabay (hans)

Final - shogun-spring-3350337.jpg

* From Pixabay (shogun)

Final - lamomis-tree-934730.jpg

* From Pixabay (lamomis)
 
And last, but not least...

Some of the trees that inspired this Challenge in the first place:

20250120_104704.jpg

* Photographed January 2025 (myself)

20260207_132107.jpg

* Photographed February 2026 (myself)

That's all of them for this Challenge.

Have fun!
 
Thanks for the challenge! I love magnolias. I jst need to wait for the one in my garden to open its flowers. It's always late, there's an identical one at the bottom of my street in full bloom at the moment 🙂
 
Thanks for starting off the challenge, Anne! Your bloom is beautiful, very delicate, and lovely blending.
My magnolia is taking its time to open, but the buds are getting fat. If the weather allows I'll get some sketches over the weekend.
Looking forward to seeing them Kay. I love painting magnolias. I'm sure another one will find it's way to my sketchbook before the challenge is over.
 
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