Orchid

The blooming orchid from the previous post mesmerizes me. Nature is the creator of perfectness. I know, I am saying the truism, but just can not stop watching the changes of this flower. Perfect creation.
So how can I react? I draw. First ink pen, then  watercolor pencils, and some waterbrush in the end. Feeling a bit closer to the nature's perfectness when drawing.


 

About This and That

I am going on with EDM drawing challenges and here is my coat (#23"Draw a piece of cloth").

I also post the bird and the landscape. I did them before the coat and sketches show how tension of office work loosens with every new attempt to draw.

Besides, in my drawing class I try oils for the first time. And, as soon as the painting is finished I post it here and write about my oil paints impressions, oil whites, bristle brushes, smell and color intensity and texture.

Meanwhile the orchid near the window decided that it was time to bloom. I still confused about how to manage flowers. When I watch them, feed them and care - they are trying to die. When I completely forget them and offer Spartan "cactus" way of life, they decide to bloom. Nobody can understand that flowers!
The bird was inspired by FANTASTIC "My Birds Blog" (link) of Abraham Lincoln (yes, they are relatives with the president), the name of the bird was Baltimore Oriole.
Landscape inspired by the photo saved to the computer desktop hundred years ago.
Feels so right to have time for drawing! It makes me happy. 

Sketchbook

I want to post these sketchbook pages just to let you know that I am still here, I read your great blogs and soon will be back to blogging.
Meanwhile I am still busy with off-line agenda.
The leaves sketch is the study during short break in work schedule.
Hanging lady has gallows drama in her pose, but it is just a doll-mascot in my car. I was trying to make her to turn head for better composition, but she refused. And yes, she is witch, flying on drumstick. And we both like speed very much))

Tools of the Trade

I promised to show you my drawing kit in my previous post. Here it is.
From left to right:
Bee paper company heavyweight drawing paper (very friendly to watercolor!);
PITT waterproof sepia pens;
Zipped tools holder;
Pieces of paper for color mixing;
Photo of Levitan's genial drawing of the sunny wood (one day I will draw copy of it);
Frame which helps to find right composition, very handy;
Paper towel, used;
Yarka tube paints in Cotman field box;
Metal box full of treasures (Aquabrush, Mechanical pencil, eraser, brush, Rotring ink pen and extra ink containers);
Water spray bottle (to wet paints);
Dried piece of  sponge to clean my palette.

Rather heavy!

As I am still busy in the office, my painting and drawing are in frozen state and the only work I can show you is the portrait I did in the drawing class with live model (only smth really important can stop me from going to drawing class)).
It was the most interesting experience, to study facial shapes, shadows and light. And of course this beautiful girl looks so very different in real life. Why do lesson's works usually look so dead??? 

Drawing kit

Quick sketches again.
I noticed that every time when I decided to leave my rather heavy drawing/painting kit at home, I found time and wish to sketch when outdoors but had no tools. That is the reason why now I always have them in my bag and I am always prepared.
1 hour long sketch of the tree (ink and watercolor and aquabrush) and 1 hour sketch in the cafe (PITT sepia pen) could happen because I made a habit of carrying them anywhere I go.

Writing this gave me the idea to show you my drawing/painting tools, which I will do with great pleasure in my next post.