Horseshoe crab, partial shell

This partial piece of the top of a horseshoe crab seemed so intriguing that I felt compelled to sketch it in more detail.

It turned out to be more complicated than I thought, but also somehow more satisfying. Maybe I found that elusive "zone" for a short time. Anyway, I wanted to share this.

I've been using an Aquabee sketchbook lately, at least until I have time to construct some new sketchbooks. I still have a few pages of Arches hot-press watercolor paper in my last sketchbook, but I'm hoarding those!

The Aquabee sketchbook has turned out to be very versatile - so far I've tried watercolor pencil (and light washes), Pitt ink pens, and pencil. It's also a nice size - 9 x 6 inches - easy to carry, and small enough to invite quick (or longer) sketches. In this case, a longer and more detailed study than the previous posting.

 

You can click on the image above to see it larger on my Flickr photostream.

Barefoot Beach things

A nature journal is a great way to capture a memories and impressions. I'll never forget this chilly walk on the beach and the treasures I found.  Needless to say, I drew these in the comfort of my living room!

You can view this larger on my Flick photostream,  just click on the image.

Foreshortening: always a challenge...

One of the biggest challenges in drawing plants (or any subject for that matter) is that of foreshortening. Drawing a leaf seems like a easy task...but not if you draw it from different angles.

After drawing this seagrape leaf from three angles, I have a more intimate acquaintance with its shape, edges, parts, and personality. Tracing the textures of the stem or petiole and attempting to follow the stiffness of the leaf blade builds a memory that stays with me long after the drawing is done.

The top leaf is easy, seagrape leaves are essentially a circular shape. The second from the top is the same leaf drawn from the side, and so the challenge begins!

Foreshortening is what happens when something in the picture plane is moving toward you, and shapes become distorted. See how the leaf changes when the edges thrust forward?

Drawing these three-dimensional shapes onto a two-dimensional piece of paper takes some practice. First, I squint my eyes as an aid to flatten out what I'm seeing. Next, I look for the shapes I readily recognize.

For example, in the drawing with color overlays, you can see the circle shape used for the top leaf. I lightly sketch this shape, then redraw and modify the little dips and curves of the edges. When I drew the side view (second from top), I first found and drew the green triangle shape. After that I could locate the oval shape, then it was just a matter of finding the next lines and more small shapes.

For the bottom view, the closest shapes I could recognize were more ovals. I started with the green front lip shape, modifying it as I drew, and then added the side ovals complete the leaf shape. Although this drawing still looks a bit awkward to me, I think it gives an accurate illustration of just how this leaf looks from this angle.

I find that I don't always use the same procedure when I draw. This time I felt most comfortable drawing the closest shape first, but that's not always the case. Sometimes I like to draw the main veins or stems first. I think it depends on the subject and how my brain is working that day!

Foreshortening doesn't have to be a mystery, try using these tips and see if they take the challenge out of distorted shapes. Turn that left-brain chatter off and get back to basics. A good, solid structural base drawing can free you to explore line, texture and color.

 

Beautyberry

Another ink and watercolor pencil sketch – this time a detail of beautyberry in fruit. Although this shrub is sometimes a bit nondescript throughout the year, the bright purple-to-magenta berries can be quite breathtaking. I don’t think this sketch quite does the plant justice, so I’m including a photo showing a few more berries.

The leaves are a nice oval (almost heart-shaped), with crenate (scalloped) to serrate leaf margins. Small white to pink flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This native shrub can get quite leggy, and sometimes has an open, sprawling growth – I often see it growing wild along edges of clearings. My reference plant came from landscape plantings at Freedom Park along the path on the higher ground around the ponds.

You can click on the drawing at the top to view it larger on my Flickr photostream.

Geiger Tree

Geiger Tree, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Smith.

Watercolor pencil again, over ink from a Pitt artist pen (small size). The Geiger tree has striking orange tubular flowers, and coarse, slightly disreputable looking leaves. Here in the USA, this tropical tree is found only in southern Florida because of its low cold tolerance.

In his book "Growing Native," Richard Workman relates the legend of Audubon's acquaintance and subsequent naming of this species for John Geiger, his Key West host and friend in the 1830's. However, Dick also points out that Mark Catesby made note of the same name, Geiger tree, in a book published over eighty years earlier. Interesting!

These sketches are from trees planted at Freedom Park here in Naples, Florida.

You can click on the image above in order to view it larger on my Flickr photostream.