Daphne
pencil sketch
2 26 06
I first wrote about this amazingly scented, winter blooming plant last year, and so I was looking forward to it blooming again this year.
Signs of spring are all around me, and with bright sunshine pulling me outdoors yesterday, I stepped off the porch to the intoxicating perfume of the two Daphnes planted by my porch.
I didn't dawdle long -- it was still only in the 40sF! So I clipped two stems, placed them in water, poured another cup of HOT coffee and began to sketch. It is ever amazing to me the difference I see in my work when I sketch first thing in the morning and when I sketch after a long, tiring day! Sure, sure, it stands to reason, I know. But I still find it amazing! And it sure makes me yearn for retirement!(Not happening any time soon, darn it! )
Anway, after spending a day with Sue last week and admiring her 'washy' approach to painting, I thought I too might use a bit more water in my washes and see how loose I could make the treatment of this plant. My husband, when I told him of my plan, insisted that I not lose my style. "Style," says I, "I have a style?" LOL Why is it always easier to see someone else's style than one's own??? Anyway, he explained that he liked my 'lines' as well as my washes, and wanted me to be sure to 'keep my lines.' I have to admit, I am over-the-top crazy for line and wash so I had an 'inkling' of what he was suggesting. I tend to like the softness of pencil line so I wasn't sure I wanted to use any ink on this flower, since the plant itself, though rugged enough for cold winter nights, still seemed to me so delicate with its heady fragrance.
So I sketched the daphne, then used a wetter approach to the washes. I have to admit that it is at this point I tend to 'fiddle' with the paint .... and so to AVOID that ... I left the room, took a shower, filled the bird feeders, and dabbled until I knew the paint was dry. I don't always have this luxury when I'm at work or sketching late into the evening, so it was good for me to practice this! I returned to the painting, now dried well, and added a few dark values (something my dear friend is always reminding me to do!), and finished the daphne.
For comparison, I went back last year, February 26, to find the daphne I sketched then. I think I like this year's better.
I first wrote about this amazingly scented, winter blooming plant last year, and so I was looking forward to it blooming again this year.
Signs of spring are all around me, and with bright sunshine pulling me outdoors yesterday, I stepped off the porch to the intoxicating perfume of the two Daphnes planted by my porch.
I didn't dawdle long -- it was still only in the 40sF! So I clipped two stems, placed them in water, poured another cup of HOT coffee and began to sketch. It is ever amazing to me the difference I see in my work when I sketch first thing in the morning and when I sketch after a long, tiring day! Sure, sure, it stands to reason, I know. But I still find it amazing! And it sure makes me yearn for retirement!(Not happening any time soon, darn it! )
Anway, after spending a day with Sue last week and admiring her 'washy' approach to painting, I thought I too might use a bit more water in my washes and see how loose I could make the treatment of this plant. My husband, when I told him of my plan, insisted that I not lose my style. "Style," says I, "I have a style?" LOL Why is it always easier to see someone else's style than one's own??? Anyway, he explained that he liked my 'lines' as well as my washes, and wanted me to be sure to 'keep my lines.' I have to admit, I am over-the-top crazy for line and wash so I had an 'inkling' of what he was suggesting. I tend to like the softness of pencil line so I wasn't sure I wanted to use any ink on this flower, since the plant itself, though rugged enough for cold winter nights, still seemed to me so delicate with its heady fragrance.
So I sketched the daphne, then used a wetter approach to the washes. I have to admit that it is at this point I tend to 'fiddle' with the paint .... and so to AVOID that ... I left the room, took a shower, filled the bird feeders, and dabbled until I knew the paint was dry. I don't always have this luxury when I'm at work or sketching late into the evening, so it was good for me to practice this! I returned to the painting, now dried well, and added a few dark values (something my dear friend is always reminding me to do!), and finished the daphne.
For comparison, I went back last year, February 26, to find the daphne I sketched then. I think I like this year's better.
