I spotted some beautyberries on a walk (had no idea what they were until a friend told me), struggled with the leaves-as always. Drawing from my own photo and a stock photo to fill in gaps.
Feedback: This drawing looks great! When drawing clusters of berries – think of toning the overall cluster too – not just the individual berries – the highlights may be less as the form rounds away from us. Leaves: if you’ve embossed, you can go back in and tone down some areas with watercolour. Look to have one side of the leaf in general more in shade and one side in highlight. Observe your main veins: maybe some are too bright of a white line? Perhaps they vary? I’d also extend the line of the stem down at the bottom, even if it’s just done simply, to let me know that this growing up, also sometimes in drawings a diagonal finish on a branch/stem is more pleasing than a straight cut, let one line extend down a bit further – leads the eye in nicely. All that, but this is a great drawing as is. Good tribute to this fall/winter gem/gift of a plant, Amanda.
Thanks Sam! This is really great feedback. And actually, it made me realise I do have to finish off the stem. Beautyberry in fact grows upwards initially but then very gracefully sort of falls over (probably from the weight of the berries I would think), so I should add berries at the end of the stem to show that. I did emboss the leaves in some areas, so that’s a great idea to go back in to tone them down a bit. I’m always a bit unsure as to whether to emboss or just press really hard with a lighter coloured pencil to show veins, still working on what looks better 🤔
I spotted some beautyberries on a walk (had no idea what they were until a friend told me), struggled with the leaves-as always. Drawing from my own photo and a stock photo to fill in gaps.
The big question – can you clip any when you next walk by? 🙂
These are a miracle of fall/winter aren’t they?
They are! And don’t think I can, they were in some gardens when I saw them, I might be chased down!
Any feedback/improvement suggestions gratefully received!
So pretty! I noticed these berries for the first time this past year Central Park, but I didn’t know their name. They’re truly magical!
Thanks Jill! They’re amazing, edible for humans and animals alike, medicinal, and the leaves are an excellent mosquito repellant by all accounts!
Feedback: This drawing looks great! When drawing clusters of berries – think of toning the overall cluster too – not just the individual berries – the highlights may be less as the form rounds away from us. Leaves: if you’ve embossed, you can go back in and tone down some areas with watercolour. Look to have one side of the leaf in general more in shade and one side in highlight. Observe your main veins: maybe some are too bright of a white line? Perhaps they vary? I’d also extend the line of the stem down at the bottom, even if it’s just done simply, to let me know that this growing up, also sometimes in drawings a diagonal finish on a branch/stem is more pleasing than a straight cut, let one line extend down a bit further – leads the eye in nicely. All that, but this is a great drawing as is. Good tribute to this fall/winter gem/gift of a plant, Amanda.
Thanks Sam! This is really great feedback. And actually, it made me realise I do have to finish off the stem. Beautyberry in fact grows upwards initially but then very gracefully sort of falls over (probably from the weight of the berries I would think), so I should add berries at the end of the stem to show that. I did emboss the leaves in some areas, so that’s a great idea to go back in to tone them down a bit. I’m always a bit unsure as to whether to emboss or just press really hard with a lighter coloured pencil to show veins, still working on what looks better 🤔