Points of study to be noted are the stem growth, junctions and angles of branching and articulation of leaves, the difference in development of leaves on main stem and those on flower stalk, and phases of the flowers. The drawing should be explanatory as far as possible, and any detail not quite clear should be expressed in separate lucid diagrams. When readily accessible, a series of studies should be made of the same plant or growth at differing stages, so as to form a record of the life history and development.
Care should be exercised to arrange the study with its explanatory details on the paper so as to satisfactorily occupy the area, not necessarily symmetrically, but with a view to desirable balance. Those with a natural faculty for design will probably do this instinctively, but the observance is important in developing the sense of arrangement.
The drawings, which should be carefully detailed as to form, and intimate detail--in fact diagrammatic--can be in pencil or ink outline, light and shade is generally unimportant, though it may be lightly suggested.
With regard to colour, except in examples of special suggestion, little time need be wasted in still life renderings, though suggestive colour schemes may well be noted, but the drawing should at least be lightly tinted, this serving the double purpose of fixing the pencil lines, and defining the silhouette shapes.
These studies should form material for designs, not at first ambitious, but dealing with single leaves or flowers, and deriving from them details suitable to some form of decorative expression. These can be expressed in flat colour, with or without outline, or further ornamented by treatments suggestive of veining or striation. The blotching of some leaves during autumnal changes or any natural markings can often be turned to decorative account.
Designs in some instances are in the form of perspective sketches, when it is desirable to convey an idea of their final appearance, but as a rule they are expressed as working drawings. This is imperative when the final production is the result of some mechanical production, as in book decoration and advertisement either black and white or in colour. Drawings for these are generally made larger and reduced to the required size by photography, and the blocks for printing made from the photograph.