Activity

The final botanical basics drawing. I couldn’t find curled bark so went for a seed pod instead. 🙂

Peta, It’s been so much fun watching you go through these lessons. You are doing such a great job. This is such a fun subject. I love the composition. Those two little seeds are just adorable. There are a few spots where those fold lines are curved instead of straight (that bottom one that rests on top of one half of the pod is an example). You…[Read more]

@pgthompson Thank you for your beautiful manner and encouragement on here. I’ve learnt so much in the past month and the feedback has been invaluable. Wendy’s book just arrived in the mail yesterday so I will now move onto the more complex videos (I’ve actually watched a few of them already). Looking forward to meeting you in the monthly zoom…[Read more]

I really like the energy in your drawing — and it was great meeting you in the open studio today!

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So fun, Peta!

@maureenclare I’m sorry about the message disappearing, I had a moment of confusion when I thought there might be more than one Maureen in the group and I wasn’t sure that you were the right one. 🙂 I was really interested in the book that you bought on like ends, they are such fascinating little combinations of plant and fungi aren’t they? I’ll…[Read more]

That should say ‘lichens’ not ‘like ends’.

@petapumpkineater I reckon we’d get along great too — and very glad to connect with you here! I’m also really into plant galls — maybe Draw Botanical can offer a class themed around cryptic and “weird” plants and fungi 🙂

@maureenclare Plant gall! Very interesting subject choice. I’m actually particularly into these creatures called slime moulds which were traditionally included in botany, but are actually amoeba :). If you google slime moulds you’ll probably dump plants forever and spend the rest of your life trying to draw them. 🙂 I like your “weird thing…[Read more]

Great ideas! The weird stuff is so much fun to draw. We’ll add this to our workshop idea list.

@petapumpkineater ooh I’m going to have to look up slime molds! thanks for the tip!

Hi Pam. You were right, the veins were too pronounced. I was using natural light and the sun shone through the leaves, making the veins stand out considerably. I based this drawing using diffused light, however covering up the veins was challenging given that a embosing tool was used initially.

Helene, your leaves look great!!!! Great job. (clap clap clap)

Ooh, so pretty, Helene!

Hi Helene, This is such a compelling drawing! It’s one of those subjects that seems otherworldly. I like the various brown you are using. It really gives the darks a richness. And all those little “seeds?” poping their heads out makes me smile.

Really nice Helene. I like those really dark darks where those seeds are. Just lovely.

Quite the composition! It does feel jungly. And some nice drawing, but I’m not sure it totally works. The busyness makes it hard to look at. Maybe your intention? I like the use of atmospheric perspective in the background. But don’t like the white halo around the bottom flower. It makes it look like an after thought to fill in the space. I thi…[Read more]

Wow Helene. This is so striking. And I love the style of the composition. So much to look at, and my eye eventually rests at that beautiful large flower at the bottom. I love the little details of the stamen poking out of those top flowers. That faded jungle in the back is great. I would add just a little more of that faded jungle behind that…[Read more]

I think there is a way to address Katy’s comments with some subtle changes. I think when if you were to tone the background slightly in a pale green gray behind the main flowers and leaves the halo will disappear and we will be able to focus more . I would give it a try. Love all these drawings here

Gorgeous Helene!!! I am especially drawn to the interior views of the opened pod.

Oh my goodness Helene. This is so cool. What a fantastic subject and beautiful composition. Love it.