This coleus leaf was difficult to do because the red is so so dark. The veins on the front of the leaf were actually a cool grey-ish red, but I was having troubles with that, since I used the embossing tool.
Dark reds are tricky. On your next attempt you could try putting down a watercolour wash first of your lightest vein color, letting it dry, and then embossing over that to leave that color as you build your pencil layers. You’d still want to give me a good highlight running along that curled portion – you could leave some paper color in the highlights. Lessons in Wendy’s book that I think apply are pg: 69, 83, 105, 110. Good job Eleanor. Did you try using any indigo blue in your darks?
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check those lessons out. I did use the indigo in the dark areas. I really love this plant, so chances are I will be drawing more of its leaves in the future. It is really an amazing plant. It is about 4 feet tall and 3 feet across.
Hi Eleanor, I have one additional suggestion to make your leaf overall look more natural for the next leaf or petal you try. Rather than have a sharp fold for the overlap, have it be less severe so it feels like a natural roll rather than a fold. I hope that makes sense! Give it a try!
This coleus leaf was difficult to do because the red is so so dark. The veins on the front of the leaf were actually a cool grey-ish red, but I was having troubles with that, since I used the embossing tool.
Dark reds are tricky. On your next attempt you could try putting down a watercolour wash first of your lightest vein color, letting it dry, and then embossing over that to leave that color as you build your pencil layers. You’d still want to give me a good highlight running along that curled portion – you could leave some paper color in the highlights. Lessons in Wendy’s book that I think apply are pg: 69, 83, 105, 110. Good job Eleanor. Did you try using any indigo blue in your darks?
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check those lessons out. I did use the indigo in the dark areas. I really love this plant, so chances are I will be drawing more of its leaves in the future. It is really an amazing plant. It is about 4 feet tall and 3 feet across.
Hi Eleanor, I have one additional suggestion to make your leaf overall look more natural for the next leaf or petal you try. Rather than have a sharp fold for the overlap, have it be less severe so it feels like a natural roll rather than a fold. I hope that makes sense! Give it a try!
Thanks Wendy. I will try that.
I find your subject very interesting – a leaf w/ personality! Love that color, too.