Magnolia 45" x 55 1/2" Graphite and colored pencil

I began sketching this blossom with the intent of painting it in acrylic ....but ...the graphite was speaking to me as I began to put it down ...so I surrendered ... and I am glad I did !  I think this medium lends itself very well to this subject ... I think the use of graphite really helps to emphasize the strong textures of the unfolding layers in the center of the piece .... it also gives the image a somewhat surreal quality .

The first photo is the whole piece and the other shots are details of the drawing