Four zinnia-like blooms with layered ruffled petals clustered above long leaves. Medium — great for kids.
Zinnias are the fireworks of the flower bed — magenta, coral, cherry red, orange, and gold are all true zinnia colors. Because these petals come in ruffled layers, color the innermost layer deepest and step one shade lighter with each ring outward. The long leaves take an honest mid-green with darker edges.
Ruffles read through contrast, so give alternate petal layers slightly different treatments: one ring smooth and even, the next with visible stroke lines following the petal direction. A white or pale gel-pen dot at a few petal tips fakes the papery highlight real zinnias catch in bright sun. It is a small trick with a big payoff.
