I saw the flower as a circle shape and it was a puzzle to decide which petals to draw in which order. Then I saw a blog later on that mentioned viewing as triangles. Not sure that it could be a spiral? In any case, I was worried with all the erasing I might damage the watercolor paper, so I first used drawing paper, then traced the outline on tracing paper once it looked o.k. Then used a light pad to get the outline on the watercolor paper. After all that, I decided to keep with this drawing. Even though the exact flower from last week wilted.
Hi Karye – I always take a photo of anything that is alive that I’m drawing – that way, if it wilts, bends, opens, etc., I’ve still got something to work with. You just have to make sure your vantage point in the camera is same as what you’re seeing without the camera.
Complex flowers are tricky. Step 1 is to have a consistent view that does not change for drawing, and then of course as your flower continues to open, don’t change the view, unless you are doing a new drawing!. Next think about making each petal roll by getting a good sense of the light source on the petals!. Camellias are challenging and lovely to draw!
I saw the flower as a circle shape and it was a puzzle to decide which petals to draw in which order. Then I saw a blog later on that mentioned viewing as triangles. Not sure that it could be a spiral? In any case, I was worried with all the erasing I might damage the watercolor paper, so I first used drawing paper, then traced the outline on tracing paper once it looked o.k. Then used a light pad to get the outline on the watercolor paper. After all that, I decided to keep with this drawing. Even though the exact flower from last week wilted.
Hi Karye – I always take a photo of anything that is alive that I’m drawing – that way, if it wilts, bends, opens, etc., I’ve still got something to work with. You just have to make sure your vantage point in the camera is same as what you’re seeing without the camera.
Yes, vantage point is so important! A slight move of the head or phone camera and the flower center has changed and petals that were visible.
Complex flowers are tricky. Step 1 is to have a consistent view that does not change for drawing, and then of course as your flower continues to open, don’t change the view, unless you are doing a new drawing!. Next think about making each petal roll by getting a good sense of the light source on the petals!. Camellias are challenging and lovely to draw!