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Got a bit lost in the detail on this one and trying to make the shadow side work. A challenge.

Congratulations on trying something so ambitious. So much detail and so many bright colours, well worth all the time and effort! 🤩

Yes, Hydrangeas are challenging! I love this drawing as it is. The colors are spectacular! The deep greens agains the saturated colors, so beautiful! And it really gives the essence of the hydrangea. Good Job! My suggestions would be to think of the drawing as a whole and convey the light on form as if it were a large sphere. There could be a more…[Read more]

Stunning!

Gorgeous Margaret!!!! One hydrangea head would be a challenge!

To me, your hydrangea piece is everything.

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Can’t stop looking at this. It makes me feel like trying one but even one head feels really challenging!! Amazing work.

Hi Diane- is this a slipper orchid? I am confused by the red/green area above the pink petals. Not sure how to read that middle section. A little more dark toning would help in other areas – like the underside of the green leaf.

Hi Mary- you have a good range of tones. The highlight could be stronger especially on the two on the left. Keep practicing even layers of smooth toning. The fruit is looking grainy especially in the lighter and mid-tones.

Hi Doug, Any tips for even layers of toning? Less pressure, smaller areas at one time? I don’t know what or how to modify to get a different result. Thanks so much for your help.

Nice petal exercise! I feel the curl! The cast shadow could be defined a bit more. It seems a bit out of control. Nothing too hard edged, but a bit more in keeping with the shape of the petal.

Ok, got it!

Thanks Vern 🙂

Thank you so much for your critiques. I have a hard time with this veining indeed, and I have the same issue in another drawing of nasturtium (in progress). The veining is quite crisp and the leaves are very flat. I agree my rendering isn’t very convincing. I will work more on the veining and toning 🙂

Thank you! It was fun to experiment with a different paper and nice to see how layers of colored pencils could react to a grainier surface.

Thank you, Wendy for your Roses and Peonies workshop. This is the first time I have drawn a rose!

Hi Vern. Yes, I see what you mean. Maybe the sepals should go under the petals of the bud. I’ll give that a go. 🤔

Truly beautiful work – especially the leaves!

Thank you , Margaret. I usually like to draw plants with tropical colours or geometric shapes, so this was a new direction for me, and it was fun!

Beautiful! I love the frilly, curling edges of the petals!

My first attempt at drawing a real-life flower and it was hard. It didn’t turn out as I had hoped at all. I will keep trying. Thank you for any feedback!

It looks way better than you think Clotilde! We are always our own harshest critics. There is a nice grace/gracefulness to this drawing. Your hand is moving well and all your practicing is really paying off. Keep up the good work.

Yes, I agree with Vern and Sam, this drawing has many things going for it. The structural drawing itself is sound. I really see the cone shape of the flower. And nice curling of the petals. Also the emergence of the pistil and stamens feels very organic. As Vern mentions, just a matter of bringing in some darks in the center to define those…[Read more]