I had gone to a Ted Head watercolor workshop recently and I learned quite a bit about handling some brand-new professional type watercolors.
Up until now I have only been practicing, so I've been using the small pans --typically Koi or some Grumbacher pans. I finally went out and got some professional Winsor & Newton tubes, got a pallet, got a sheet of Arches...stretched it (my first time) and --wow what a difference.
I showed my first painting on Facebook and the response reminded me I needed to be doing more art! So I was asked to do a magnolia. I definitely will be doing more!
I made this to contribute to a challenge to try to paint up close and frame-filling in the style of Georgia O'Keefe. I had never painted a magnolia before and this is only my 3rd attempt at soft pastels. I must admit I am liking them and feel I may need to upgrade. I have "Hobby Lobby" variety at this time which is at best a student grade. With pastel sticks starting around 2.00 or so...it may just be a while.
I didn't have any sort of light palette. I had fuschia, turquoise, and a creamy orange that I used to lay in the values. I then took about 1/4 of my white stick to try to make the colors I was missing. Maybe I'll buy some singular sticks in a white palette to start my collection, as you should really never use true white in your artwork if you can avoid it. 
Check out the progression... I hope you enjoy it!
