This pen and watercolour piece captures a joyful moment in my kitchen garden, inspired by a favourite photograph of my beloved cat Margot as she affectionately rubs her face against a watering can among wild, exuberant alliums. The playful clusters of white flowers—each a happy sphere atop thick stalks—contrast with the soft elegance of Margot and the rich, shifting hues of the composition. I love exploring unexpected colour harmonies, so you’ll spot splashes of unlikely tones that challenge the viewer’s eye and add vibrance to the scene. The frame, finished in copper, echoes the warmth and character of the watering can. My process starts with a pencil sketch, followed by layers of pen work using fade-proof inks and varied nib sizes for both bold shading and delicate textures; I mix black, grey, and touches of sepia for depth. Finally, I add translucent watercolour washes, building up tonal contrasts from light to dark, to bring the whole scene to life with a gentle radiance.
