Monday, May 22, 2006

Comfrey


I've been trying to decide exactly what it is about watercolor and pen that I love so much and how I can best practice this type of art. So yesterday, I worked on an ink sketch of this comfrey (Thanks, Kate, for the photo!) and added several watercolor washes. But lo -- I didn't like the result as well. I felt that the ink was too heavy, too bold.

So today, I went back to my pencil sketching with watercolor added -- and yes! That's it .... with perhaps a bit of ink HIGHLIGHTS. YEAH!!! A lightbulb moment!

It's the juxtaposition, I think, or the blending of two things--the softness of watercolor washes and the crispness of ink ...!

And so today, I set out to redo my comfrey sketch with pencil and watercolor. And rather than add black ink highlights, I rather liked this result with a bit of white ink for the comfrey hairs alongside the softer pencil lines.

I am learning!

10 comments:

melissa said...

Those lightbulb moments are fantastic, aren't they? Great job with the experimenting.

Teri said...

Experimentation is good. I think we learn more from that than anything-at least you took the chance! Love the softness of this.

Sue Seibert said...

Lin, isn't it wonderful. The more experimentation, the more we learn. I am experimenting with pen and ink, watercolor, and colored pencil.

I love your comfrey!

Tami said...

It is so fun to "get it"! and figure out what YOU really like! This is beautiful, I love the softness of it. I think, for me, it all depends on the subject that I am trying to do. Your poppy yesterday was perfect with the black ink but you are right about the comfrey, I think the black ink may look to strong (in my imagination anyway). I love the line "I am learning" I should creat it as my signature!

Anonymous said...

I can't add anything original to what the first four wonderful commenters had to say, except to tell you again how much I love your spirit and your enthusiasm. Reading what you write and seeing what you do are great pleasures.

Alison said...

Yes, we must remember these highs when we're feeling stuck :)

Anonymous said...

Love the effect Lin. Just the right amount of detail, IMHO, with the pen.

Terri said...

This has the soft velvety look of comfrey leaves too. Well done Lin!

Linda said...

Lin -- this is great! What a wonderful A-HA! moment -- and with immediate and wonderful results!

Lindsay said...

You are being wayyyyy toooo hard on yourself. This is lovely.