The perfect rose is just an ideal. You have to make it come alive." During my year of study, I found the best way to examine the rose was to carefully dissect each petal until I understood the entire anatomy. As I selected roses to do a study, I limited myself to no more than three at a time. Then I studied the temperature of the shadows and lights, determining where the most color is seen usually at the center of the rose. Reflected lights are also necessary to show a lifelike rose. Shadows are alive, yet grayed, with the light areas showing true color and structure.All of these elements are necessary to build a perfect rose. But remember,you define perfection in your work, not someone else.