Prairie Coneflowers ~ Mexican Redhats

8x8 watercolor on Masters 140 lb cold press paper completed today from my Mexican redhat wildflower photos.  This beauty can be seen along roadsides and vacant lots and is also known as the common prairie coneflower with either red, dark red, or yellow 'skirts'.
COPYRIGHT 2020 Kay Smith

Mexican Redhat Blooms

5.5x2.75 watercolor and gouache with ink line (Pigma Micron 01 pen) on brown sketch paper done this week.  Another Mexican red hat wildflower, each bloom is different in color, form, and value.  Some have pale yellow petals while others are yellow orange or red.
Also known as the prairie coneflower, these inhabit dry areas and seed themselves along roadways and vacant lots.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Mexican Red Hats Fiesta

9x4 watercolor wildflower floral begun yesterday during a class and finished today using some of my Mexican red hat photos.  We did not see too many of them this spring so maybe it was too wet.  Commonly known as prairie coneflower this dark red petaled stunner can also be seen in shades of yellow and gold.  Also known as Ratibida columnaris, this perennial prefers hot, arid and dry conditions.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.

Hot Hats - Mexican Redhat wildflowers finished

7.5x11 watercolor wildflowers, prairie coneflowers or Mexican redhats, a work in progress is finished today.  I had to trim one inch off the top as I laid its damp edge next to large manila envelope, and you guessed it! Glued itself to the envelope, LOL! Wildflowers are such fun with their vivid splash of color in an otherwise boring landscape.  It is a bit different from the first one that sold quickly.
Image is COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.

WIP Mexican Redhats wildflowers continued

8.5x11 watercolor and ink work in progress (WIP) continued with last night's drawing more blooms and painting today about 1.5 hours. Tomorrow I'll fill in foreground tall skinny leaves and do a wash over the background.  Some values have to be adjusted before it is done, so do stay tuned! I looked this plant up with its many variations in Neil Sperry's Texas Gardening book, and it is quite fascinating.  Seed companies also sell many types to directly plant yourself if you don't want to trust Mother Nature.
Image COPYRIGHT 2013 Kay Smith.