It’s not that I have not been drawing but I have not been drawing very much, my intentions of drawing every day just flew out the window. The only artistic tool I have had in my hand for the last month has been a paintbrush – a house painting brush.
So, what have I done? Well on two occasions I was overambitious and started drawings of large specimens which I was unable to continue with or to finish. I did not think forward about how my days were going to pan out and then when I got back to the drawing the specimen had shrivelled, withered and I did not have back up photographs. Another good lesson to learn; think hard before starting something ambitious. Pictures attached are very poor as the graphite is too faint for my photography skills and I have over adjusted the contrast. I have just put them in for the record.
I also had a go at drawing outside again, sitting in the sunshine with the breeze waving the plants around. Good practice at looking and remembering and not being too precious. I love poppy seed heads, they are so much fun to draw, seem like little crowds of people.
Poppies
I also had a go at Crocosmia, which actually flowered in the garden this year, it seems to have been a good growing year for many things. This also was a venturing into colour for the first time for a long time – and it was orange again – I have a weird attraction to orange I realise that now……. Again I was disheartened by my efforts, my petals end up heavy and lumpy.
The final drawings I have managed are of a fantastic Dahlia flower that is so luscious in colour changing from apricot (orange!!), peach (pale orange!!) to yellow with lots of yummy shades in-between. A massive challenge to draw with so many petals twisting and turning this way and that, but that bit went quite well. I then traced off my drawing to give me the base for a colour drawing. Taking advice from others that have been kind enough to support me I used an underpainting of yellow watercolour to cover the paper before starting with the coloured pencils.
Pencil drawing
Working drawing
The colours are not quite right in the photo so this detail shows them better.
Detail of Dahlia drawing
But my petals are still lumpy and thick. However, excitingly, I am starting a coloured drawing course later this afternoon with Ann Swan who is a brilliant coloured pencil botanical artist and I am hoping to learn loads; whole week of drawing and learning, how lucky am I!
What fun a drawing class! The only problem with your drawings is your criticism of them. These are lovely drawings and you have done heaps. I want to challenge you to post with being critical once and say what you like about each drawing, because these are really good. I love orange so I will never see enough of it. Have fun in your class and post again soon. Karen
Ouch Karen! you are right though to challenge me, and a will try in future to post a positive and put a check on my negatives – too too easy to see fault in oneself. Thank you.
Sorry if it was harsh, but your drawings were so lovely and you were so critical. It is the hardest thing about being an artist is to not be overly critical of the work and stop or stiffle yourself with it. You do such great drawings and I can see your improvement every time you post. Please the only way to stop the self critism is to make sure that you say something positive about every drawing that you do, That is what I do to make sure that I remain positive about my work and remind myself why I love to draw.
Karen, you were not harsh, you were expressing an opinion, and I am glad you are interested enough to take the time to comment on my work and I thank you. I will bear your words in mind and be more positive about my drawings. Sue
Please post again soon, I don’t follow many blogs, but yours is one that I look forward to seeing, I have really enjoyed what you post and watching you drawing develop.
Great stuff Susie! You are coming along. Lovely Dahlia!
Thanks Ma!
I love the poppy composition and the dahlia drawing. I am envious of the course with Ann Swan. Sounds like great fun. Enjoy yourself!
I am two days in to the six day course and I am learning loads. She is an inspirational teacher and a brilliant artist. I am so lucky that this course is so near to where I live. I have done one leaf (back and front) and prepared a drawing of tomatoes that I will start tomorrow, I am really enjoying it.
Well, I’ll chip in and say that I LOVE everything you do, even if it doesn’t measure up in your own eyes. I critique myself too and it does stifle the impetus to draw as Karen says, it really stops the flow for me.
I wondered where you were but hopefully you will get going again and certainly Ann Swan will get you going. Lucky you, hope you enjoy the course. You are a good artist and you deserve a good course to buck you up.
Judy
Judy, thank you for your kind comments, and you are right it is disheartening if you are too hard on yourself I will try and be more positive…….Sue
The dahlia is beautiful
Thank you Sara.
Your drawings are so beautiful. Keep up the terrific work!
Well, that is kind of you to say that. Thank you. Sue