Floral Shadow Box

Nature is my biggest source of inspiration. There is always so much variety, color, and beauty to observe - especially when it comes to flowers. I love drawing flowers, and they often find their way into my artworks. In fact, I don’t think I have a single piece that doesn’t include at least one flower.

This shadow box was a very spontaneous project. I created it in between other projects with tight deadlines. Sometimes it’s important to pause, take a deep breath, and make something just for yourself. That’s exactly what this project became for me - a calm and enjoyable moment of creativity without pressure.

Sketch paper (120 gsm, slightly textured)
White cardstock
Pencil
Black liner pen
Watercolors
Gouache
Craft knife
Cutting mat
Glue
Double-sided tape

For more complex projects I usually start with a sketch to plan the composition. Sketching helps decide where the elements will go and how they will interact with each other.

For this project, however, I tried something different. I started drawing directly on the final paper without making a separate sketch first. I simply began adding flowers, leaves, and other small elements and allowed the composition to develop naturally.

This was actually the first time I worked this way, and I really enjoyed it. Sometimes it’s nice to turn off the analytical part of your brain and just enjoy the creative process.

Once the drawings were ready, I started painting the elements.

I usually work in several layers when painting. First I apply a simple base layer of color - for example a soft green or blue. After that I add more tones and variation to build depth. Finally, I refine the details using colored pencils and a black liner pen.

Working this way helps keep the colors cohesive while still allowing room for small details and texture.

After the paint dried, I carefully cut out all the elements using a craft knife and cutting mat.

I work slowly and cut each shape one by one. Often I create more elements than I actually need. This gives me more freedom later when arranging the composition.

The more carefully you cut, the cleaner and more precise the final result will look.

Before gluing anything in place, I like to do a dry fit. This means arranging all the elements inside the frame without attaching them yet.

This step helps me check if the composition feels balanced. Sometimes I realize that I need an extra element, a slightly larger background shape, or a few small details to make everything work better together.

Once I’m happy with the arrangement, I divide the elements by layers.

Now it’s time to assemble the shadow box.

I usually start with the larger elements and gradually move toward the smaller details. Each layer is placed carefully inside the frame and secured with glue or double-sided tape to create depth.

This is always the most exciting part of the process - when the layers come together and the final scene slowly appears.

The finished shadow box has many small details and soft pastel colors. I made sure to include warm beige tones across the flowers, which helps bring the whole composition together.

This was my first shadow box where I skipped the initial sketch and started drawing directly on the paper. It turned out to be a very calm and enjoyable project.

Sometimes when everything around us feels rushed, taking the time to create something slowly and without pressure can lead to the most beautiful results. It allows creativity to flow naturally - and that’s exactly what happened with this piece.