Drawing Two Flower Fairies Intuitively

There’s something special that happens when I sit down with just a pencil, an hour ahead of me, and no plan at all. This lesson—Two Flower Fairies—was born exactly like that. No reference, no fixed idea… just a soft willingness to let the pencil dance and see what emerges from the mists of graphite.

This kind of drawing is one of my absolute favorite ways to work. I start by letting my hand move freely—soft, organic marks, light at first. I never know what I’ll find. Sometimes it’s a goddess, a fairy, an angel, or something I’ve never seen before. It all unfolds slowly. This time, two gentle figures started to appear on the page, surrounded by flowing hair, hints of wings, and flower-like shapes. One felt grounded and soft, the other more ethereal and dreamlike. It was as if I was sketching from a place just beneath the surface of thought—letting intuition lead completely.

I used my usual HB and 2B clutch pencils, some smudgers and erasers, and a touch of gold—just for fun. The gold was a risk. I added it knowing full well it might not “work,” but that’s part of what I love about drawing like this. There’s no need to be perfect. Just explore, enjoy, and keep going. Some of the marks I made were strong and scratchy, others soft and smudged. I carved out a few highlights with an eraser, played with hatching, added loose drapery and floating lines. It’s not about realism or correctness. It’s about allowing things to grow, evolve, and surprise you.

Even after all these years of drawing, I still find this kind of session so freeing. There’s a moment when I stop trying to control the image and just let the shapes lead the way. Drawing becomes a conversation between the pencil and the page. I might think I’m drawing one thing, and suddenly a wing appears… or a flower that reminds me of something blooming in the garden last week. It’s a bit like dream-travel, really—where my hand just follows a rhythm I didn’t plan.

This lesson was created for my monthly drawing membership, Drawing Magic Circle, where we explore both playful sketches and more in-depth graphite projects together each month. I wanted to offer something completely open this time—a space for students to step into their own intuitive flow and enjoy a quiet, soulful hour with the pencil.

And if you’re not a member (yet!) but feel drawn to this kind of sketching—light, expressive, and personal—you’re so welcome to start with my course Sketching for Life. It’s a beautiful way to explore loose, joyful drawing at your own pace, and it’s filled with exactly this kind of atmosphere.

Thanks for stopping by the studio with me. I hope this inspired you to pick up a pencil and follow wherever it might take you.

With love,
Ida