Lately I’ve been a captive of fading leaves and withering petals–trying to use every minute to get them drawn and studied for a painting before they are totally gone. Drawings, color studies, and reference photos take precedence over anything that can be postponed during that brief period when the cuttings remain fresh. When they’re not […]
Sketchbook–A Wild Rose
May 23, 2016 by · 6 Comments
One of the benefits of sketching the Nootka Rose was breathing in its rich fragrance as I worked. As roses go, it’s pretty demure, but the aroma is world class! Choice of Pigments The rose’s leaves had just unfurled and were a lovely fresh green, so I mixed the bright pigments, W&N Winsor Blue Green […]
Sketchbook–Chasing Light
April 6, 2016 by · 4 Comments
Shadow, reflected light and translucency are all qualities of light, with translucency being the most delicious imo! The Akebia vine blooming outside my kitchen windows seemed a perfect subject for a sketchbook exercise in painting translucency. Although its tiny red flowers are usually easy to miss, when backlit by the morning sun, they glow like […]
Sketchbook–Early Bulbs & More
February 23, 2016 by · 5 Comments
Here’s a little sketchbook fun with early bulbs…and a not always welcome garden visitor. These early bulbs are so encouraging in late winter when the cloud cover is thick and the rain drizzles over the bare landscape. One of the things I want to do with my sketchbook entries is to experiment with different styles […]
Sketchbook–Winter Twigs
January 23, 2016 by · 7 Comments
On my walks on these dreary wet days of winter, it seems that nature is asleep and I see nothing but bare twigs and dead field grasses. Recently I took a closer look when I began searching for something to sketch for a sketchbook exchange project I am involved in (more about that later). I […]
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).