Ilustración en acuarela de un pensamiento (Viola x wittrokiana) violeta
Proceso de ilustración científica en acuarela del pensamiento híbrido, con las primeras capas de acuarelas y en una mesa de trabajo.

The garden pansy
 (Viola x wittrokiana).


The garden pansy (Viola x wittrokiana), also known as "violet" or "viola", is one of the most popular flowers in gardening due to its showy colors, adaptability and its ability to bloom at different times of the year. This hybrid belongs to the genus Viola and originated from the crossing of several wild species of violets, such as Viola tricolor, Viola lutea and Viola altaica.

The Violet belongs to the Violaceae family and is herbaceous and low-growing, reaching a height of 15 to 25 cm, with a compact and dense growth habit. It can be annual or biennial, depending on the growing conditions, although in temperate climates it can behave as a perennial.

Its main features include:

  • Showy flowers, large in size compared to other violets, with a diameter of between 4 and 10 cm, and with petals that often have combinations of bright colors with patterns in the shape of "faces".
  • Leaves that can be basal (wider and rounded) or cauline (on the stems – narrower and serrated) of an intense green color.

The pansy is native to Europe, and is grown in gardens around the world thanks to its hardiness, versatility, and easy care. Its name "pansy" comes from the French pensée, meaning “thought,” in reference to its association with remembrance, meditation, and reflection. It is also considered one of the most widely cultivated flowers in the world thanks to its ease of care and the variety of colors available.

This illustration was made as a final project for the subject of botanical illustration in watercolor, of the postgraduate course in Scientific Illustration of the UPV/EHU, taught by the professor Carles Puche.

 Year: 2020
Technique: Watercolor illustration.
Illustration type: Scientific.
Type of project/Client: Course project.