Paige's Magnolia Flower

Travis cut and gave Paige a magnolia flower yesterday and she sent several photos to share with me.  After looking over them several times, I considered drawing one but was a bit hesitant.  One of those times I look at something and find it intimidating like the center portion of the flower.  Plus I'm not crazy working with white flowers.

Giving more thought on it, I decided to make it a personal challenge BECAUSE I felt intimidated and glad I did.  I was able to work through the most challenging part of it by starting the center first.  I figured if it went all wrong, I didn't spend a lot of time on the entire flower only to be dissatisfied.

Here is the ending results.  Paige didn't know I was going to draw from the photos she sent but had hoped I might.  I had Travis critique my work close to it being finished.  Once he OK'd how things were going, I proceeded to finish and then send to Paige via text.

Pesky Pests

 As I sit at my desk swatting a gnat flying around my face, the idea came to me to sketch some of the major pests we have where we live.

With warmer weather, these pest are coming out in groves...especially the mosquitos and gnats.   The Palmetto bugs tend to try and get into the house when the weather turns cold or hitch hikes on our dogs when coming back inside.  The midges are not here yet but it's just a matter of time.  As for the red ants, we try to keep them under control.  We spray down into their ant hills or pour scalding hot water down the holes.  It helps for a short time until they move elsewhere with new ant hills popping up.  The one pest (not shown) that we do NOT look forward to are the love bugs.  They make a horrible mess on our vehicles.

Sketching with the Peppermint brush tool on Ipad.

First Rose of 2022 from Neighbor

Our neighbor cut and sent this rose over with Terry to give to me.  This one particular rose bush he has produces roses with a very strong fragrance.  The roses don't last very long but while they do, makes the room smell wonderful.

Using the same technique I used for the frog (starting with a flat color background using the Round brush tool), I ended up with this result.  Results are different to my eyes starting out with a flat color type brush versus my coloring in using my favorite brush tool (Gouache) which is transparent with some variation with each stroke put down on paper.  The round is a solid that does not react with pencil pressure whereas the Gouache does..........putting down darker color with more pressure.

**With a flat color foundation, the layer is totally opaque which would make it easy to add a background layer underneath without it bleeding through the layer with the rose and having to erase that for a clean look.

Process using the Round Brush Tool:

As an experiment, I wanted to see the difference by working my rose with each brush.  I used the exact same color swatch with each brush tool.  When working with the Gouache brush tool, I do not put a lot of pressure on my apple pencil as I like building my color from light to dark.  This example is with my normal pressure (which is hard to explain except I don't apply much pressure).

Notice the difference between the two brush tools in application using the same color swatch.  

This next example shows what it would take by duplicating the original color layer using the Gouache brush tool versus a one time layer of color using the Round brush tool.  If I were to lift my apple pencil up and back down using the Gouache brush tool, the color would darken.......just like glazing in watercolor.

Closeup of the two side by side.  Although not a great deal of difference, I still see some variation or "life" in the one with four layers stacked using the Gouache brush tool.  For me, I like that.

The only difference between them is the foundation layer of basic color.

For added comparison, I worked these simple shapes without darks and highlights.

Frog Out Front

This little guy was on the wall right outside our front door late evening.  Using Procreate, I worked this with tools shown on the demo sheets.

The background was an afterthought using the Spires brush tool found under Organic using both brush tool to put down areas of the texture and using the same under the eraser to remove some areas.  Then added a few lines blending them out trying to mimic the texture of the wall.

Another brush tool mentioned on demo sheets was the BeeJayDel Textures - Scales.  On its own layer, I used it very lightly to add to the detail I put down by hand.  It's very subtle. 

Although three greens are shown on the color key on the demo sheets, I basically only used two......the middle and dark values. 

Small Sampling of What I've Been Up To

It's been awhile since I posted to my blog, but, I've been keeping busy with my drawing.

Most of the work I've been doing has been drawing on the Ipad.  Digital offers me the opportunity to blend like oil painting (which I cannot use to fumes).  I love the different techniques and challenges .... always learning something new.

Earlier this year I concentrated on my miniature bear, Opal.

The following is only a small sampling of what I've accomplished.

 

 

These sketches are from the current Nintendo game family has been playing.

For weeks we've been caring for Travis's dog and this was following weeks dealing with a bladder stone and infection and then recovering from surgery.  Lola was eyeballing Terry's sandwich and the look on her face was priceless.  An expression I wanted to capture in a drawing for Travis.

Looking through my photos for an idea to draw, I came across a mobile phone photo of this Mantis.  What grabbed my attention was the color of the shadow.

Recently, Madison shared with me her trying to save bumblebees that came out during their warm spell followed by another winter cold snap making them lethargic.  She was afraid they would die and tried keeping them warm and safe.  She's not afraid of bees allowing them to crawl on her.  This is her finger with one and she's yet to be stung.  Not something I would do ........ lol.

Practicing Folds

Blending Technique I use in Procreate where I put down some color and push/pull the color out:

Couple of journal sketches with Pen and Ink: