Magnolia Seed Pod

It took a few years before this tree would bloom.  Then we would miss the blooms and only find evidence that the tree had indeed produced a few flowers by finding dried up pods.  This year I was able to follow the blooming process of about half a dozen flowers from bud to pod with seeds.  

We were down to two pods remaining on the tree after hard rains and high winds knocked the other pods off prematurely.   One started popping seeds while the other still has a few days to go before it does (probably due to it being in a shadier area).  

I cut the pod off the tree while only a few seeds were popping out.  It's been sitting on my desk and each day more and more seeds emerge.

This was quite a challenge for me due to the complexity of the pod itself....especially those areas where seed had not started showing.  Part of the pod was a light tan to a pinkish tone to brown.  The flesh was still somewhat soft when I first cut the pod off the tree.  As the seeds emerge, the pod changes to brown and hardens.  My drawing is at the earlier stage showing the color variation when still soft.

UPDATE:  I thought I would remove the writing and date to print off as an ATC as well as adding another leaf to the left corner.  I haven't quite decided which I like better....with or without the added leaf.  (Fortunately, I can always revert back to without the added leaf if I need to.)

More Color Play to Existing Drawings

This is taking pencil sketches and adding color using Photoshop Elements and the color blending mode.  I like adding color to my pencil drawings while maintaining the original pencil work.  I then print off on quality art paper to either add to my sketchbooks or as ATCs for use in magnets or albums.

 

Something Different

This month has been busy with various projects I've taken on.  One project taking inventory of my art and craft supplies.  I'm still not quite done with that.  Plus I've been working on another major project, which for now I'm not writing about until after Christmas.  

Another project that's a bit different - my picking up crochet I haven't done in years.  Instead of crocheting practical items, I like working on novelty things like amigurumi.  Something different as I go through this drawing and painting lull I seem to be in at the moment.  What got me back into crocheting was my dear friend, Fay :-)  Like me, she's going through an art lull as well and has been crocheting.  She sent me a couple examples of what she's been doing and that inspired me.

Playing With Color - Ink Drawing from Jan 2021

Taking a break from a couple major projects I'm working on, I decided to play a bit with color.  I chose to use a pen and ink drawing I had worked back in January when my youngest son sent flowers to help brighten my day after a major family upset.  

I decided to make a print of the original on Stonehenge watercolor 140 lb cold press paper so that I could apply watercolor while maintaining my original as a pen and ink only drawing.

Once painted, I decided to play with some paper I had added only watercolor swatches to for possible backgrounds.  One with the original pen and ink and one with the watercolor version layered overtop for comparison.

Variation of Bees

My eldest granddaughter decided to go in with me working a challenge through the month and we agreed on sketching bees.  So far I have worked four different types in four different mediums.

This has not only been fun but very educational as well....even at my age :-)

 

UPDATE:  My granddaughter's bees (09/22/21)

First is using Procreate and the second is in her sketchbook.  She makes her "Mammaw" proud!!!

New Family Member - 8 Wk Old Zuchon

Last week we picked up a new puppy which is classified as a "Teddy Bear" designer pup.  The mix is Bichon Friese and Shih Tzu.  They go by other names as well but the breeder we purchased from calls them Zuchons.

We chose to go with the name Alani after bringing her home.  It's a name that means precious in Hawaiian.  

She was advertised as sweet and loves to cuddle, which turned out exactly right for several days.  She is still very sweet but is turning into quite a live-wire.  

Using Procreate and the Gouache brush tool, I worked the left side using a single dark brown color.  I was after a monochrome drawing but then decided to add black in areas.

"Lani" is more brown than white but I chose to work her the way I did as I like the contrast with lighter face against her dark ears.

After I finished that, I added another layer adding more brown in the face and paws.  

My objective was more in rendering a likeness with facial features and shape of head rather than worrying about correct coloring.  Plus I was after her soft look as she's a huge soft fur ball.......softer than Miya who is a Yorkipoo.

We are now waiting for a litter of Maltipoos.  A Maltipoo was the breed mix we were initially after but fell in love with this puppy.  Decided we'd go with two being closer in age hoping they will play together leaving our older dog in peace.  Miya is a senior dog who's not interested in the antics of a lively puppy.  She loves people.......not other animals even though she was raised with three other dogs and two cats.

UPDATED:

Added yet another layer with a touch more darker brown and a little black.  

Info sheet I've created for myself as reference.

Various Sketches Through July

Catching Up with July's sketches...

The monthly theme is Sketching a Mess or Cluttered Area.  I just haven't been inspired or motivated enough to work this theme.  Maybe another time.

Fortunately, I did manage to fulfil my other goals with regards to the various medias I try to keep up with on a monthly basis.

Digital

Rosehips using Procreate and my favorite brush tool - Gouache

Christmas Cactus using Procreate and Gouache brush tool:

Seascape using Procreate and trying out two very different brush tools - Organic/Spires for rocks and Organic/Rainforest for clouds.  Worked this while waiting for Elsa to pass by us here in Florida back the first week of July.  This was a lot of fun just playing around with the brush tools and letting the scene develop along the way.  I had no idea what I was going to do.  Added the quote that fit the specific time with that storm coming.

African Red-headed Agama using Procreate and the Gouache brush tool for the Agama itself.  Used BJD/Spots for the ground and Touchups/Old Skin for the subtle pattern on the body of the Agama.

Pen and Ink

Trumpet Tree Flower using TWSBI 580ALR / #41 Brown ink.  Fabriano Artistico HP

Pen and Ink with Watercolor

Yellow Bellied Slider using QoR watercolors; Fabriano Artistico HP; TWSBI 580ALR / #41 Brown Ink.

This guy showed up on our front porch a couple days ago.  No idea where he might have come from as we're a little distance from any water source unless there's a neighbor who has a pond.  My husband said it's possible a bird might have had it and dropped along the way.  This is the second turtle that has shown up on our front porch.  A few weeks ago we had a large Gopher Tortoise show up.

TWSBI 580ALR / #41 Brown in Fabriano Artistico HP sketchbook.

First of the Month Drawings - Graphite and Digital

Starting July off, I've been on a flower/plant kick starting with this pencil drawing of a new Orchid Terry picked up for me from Lowes.

Stillman and Birn Alpha 9x12 sketchbook using .7 mechanical pencil.

One of my favorite flowers to draw and paint is the dog rose.  My dad had this gorgeous vining shrub that grew up and around a huge oak tree.  Over the years I've grown from starters taken from his shrub with one that climbed up a lattice and across the railings of our porch when living in West Virginia.  I have another starter I brought here in Florida but so far in six years, I've not been able to get it to flower.  The problem might be it's still in a pot and might do better if planted into the ground.  We just haven't been able to decide where to plant it.

With this one I chose to work on my Ipad.  I worked it using black only and the HB pencil brush tool.  The color is from using another layer over top the drawing layer and painting on color where I needed it and changing the layer bland mode to "Color."

 

Baby Groot Flower Pot using Procreate

After working the first one in graphite (posted a day or so ago), I wanted to draw another using Procreate and in color.  At first I was dragging my feet picking up the Ipad but my granddaughter, Morgan, shared a digital drawing she had done yesterday and that was all the motivation I needed.  

Not only did I work baby Groot, I also helped Morgan with a drawing this morning where she was a little stuck.  I was able to use the video feature of Procreate to share with her how I would go about what she wanted to draw and let her take it from there.  We spent hours messaging back and forth and that was so much fun!!!

Anyways, after I finished helping Morgan, I went back to work on this drawing.  Although still waiting to receive the Air Plants I want to place in these pots, I took out a stem of artificial daisies placing on top for this drawing.

Procreate Brushes Used:  BJD's Streamline Inker, his Standard Inker, and Gouache.

For this one, I chose to use the line drawing as part of the ending results.  

 

Hibiscus

Was in the mood to sketch some flowers and I chose the sketch what's blooming right outside our kitchen window.

We have several hibiscus, most of which have the orange flowers.  Also have a Hawaiian Hibiscus my youngest son gifted me with and also a double peach hibiscus.  What I love is the fact these flowers basically bloom all year long.

Fabriano old stock Hot Press watercolor paper with TWSBI 580 (EF) and #41 Brown ink.  QoR watercolors.

 

Baby Groot Flower Pots

Yesterday I received four Baby Groot flower pots (all different poses) that I plan to stick airplants in.  For those who don't know who or what Baby Groot is, he's a character in Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

I was searching for unique flower pots and happened on these I find absolutely adorable.  I may keep one to store my pencils or pens at my desk, but haven't quite made up my mind yet.  I'll know once the airplants arrive.

Terry had taken Miya out for her last short walk of the night and during the 15 minutes he was gone, I worked a quick sketch.  Then I added a little shading plus the shadow before going to bed.

I placed a frown on my drawing as I had just read something that bothered me.  This reflects what I was feeling........lol

Stillman and Birn Alpha 9x12 journal using 6B and 4B pencils.  Not real crazy about the 6B.  Even though softer than the 4B, I didn't like how it felt going across the paper........really not as smooth as the 4B but instead a bit scratchy for some reason.

Continuing with Monthly Theme - My Diet

Lately I have been craving fruit and fortunately, it's the time of the year when some of our favorites are in season.  

Rainier Cherries are a favorite and they show up in Publix for only a very limited time.  I limit myself to only five a day.  

Another favorite is the Golden Kiss Melon.  It's the sweetest of the cantaloupe type melons.  Then there is the Watermelon and fortunately the season lasts for awhile.  Both of these I weigh in at around 50 gr each a day however, I will eat up to 100 gr of watermelon if that is all we have on hand.

Normally I would get Strawberries about now but we haven't had a lot of luck purchasing sweet strawberries or with any real flavor to them.  We feel we waste money on them more often than not.  This is one fruit I can eat more of when I do get lucky enough to purchase a good batch.

Gala Apples are my go to apple variety and I get them regularly throughout the year.  I only eat a quarter of an apple each day with just a little peanut butter for added flavor.  They are normally an evening snack for me.

Taking notice of the low amounts I eat, I have to watch my sugar and carb intake so rather than do without, I allow myself small quantities just so I don't feel deprived.

And besides zucchini, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli, which I eat regularly, I've been in the mood for tomatoes.  Our favorite being the ones sold still on the vine.  Even though technically tomatoes are considered fruit, I view them as vegetables.  

I like eating sliced tomato in a wrap or between bread with salt and pepper with a little mayo as it mixes wonderfully with the juice making a wonderful dressing.  

Page worked in the handsewn journal made with old stock of Fabriano Hot Press watercolor paper using the TWSBI 580 fountain pen with #41 Brown ink.

Grapefruit Buds and Early Formation of Fruit

For ink and watercolor this month, I chose to do these two pages first showing the initial buds and early fruit on our grapefruit tree.

Worked in handsewn journal using old stock of Fabriano Hot Press 140 watercolor paper, TWSBI 580 with new EF nib and #41 Brown.  I decided to use other than Sap Green for my greens...all Daniel Smith pigments.

Note about the TWSBI 580:  After working with the 580 and a F nib for a while, I purchased the EF replacement nib and definitely prefer the EF nib.  The TWSBIs I have all feed wet compared to other pens and the F nibs were feeding ink that took too long to dry.  With one sketch I worked even after 20 minutes smudged when I went to erase the pencil lines.  

Immature Ruby Red Grapefruit - Digital Drawing

This digital drawing has taken me quite a bit of time as I played trying to decide what to include and what not to include.  I would upload to my computer to analyze on a larger screen and from there would add or remove as I saw fit on my Ipad using Procreate. 

It was originally sketched as seen to include a weed stalk with thorns growing to one side (not showing as I removed it).  Point of view was looking down with only the ground showing and not the fence that stands behind the tree.

Originally the greens I was using were too much the same (to my eyes) so I made some subtle changes for a little variation but trying to stay close to how they truly look.

After I worked the progress sheet (I can refer back to), I made a couple more subtle changes to include adding a hint of a reddish tone to the ground and lightening the front grapefruit just a bit on the right side as I thought the color saturation was too strong hiding some of the texture I wanted to show.

Size of the fruit at this point are larger than a golf ball but smaller than a baseball.  They will continue to grow changing color and be ripe around the end of Fall into Winter.  The longer these stay on the tree, the sweeter they will be.  Once picked, they do not continue to ripen.  

 

June Theme - My Diet - Veggies Pen and Ink

Continuing with the theme of what foods I like and try to incorporate into my day to day eating habits, I worked this page of vegetable doodles.

Many of the dishes I create use cauliflower and sometimes broccoli.  I love garlic and adding a touch of jalapeno for a little extra flavor and heat with most foods I eat.  Green Beans with onion and bacon is one of my favorites along side of the Kale soup we make.  For healthy snacking, I like sliced cucumber and tomato as I can't handle celery and prefer carrots (not shown) either grated in a salad or steamed.  Another major vegetable (not included on page) that I eat a lot of is Zucchini either grated or spiralized.  

Worked in 5.5x7 Fab Hotpress journal using TWSBI Eco with EF nib and Lexy Ink.

June 2021 Monthly Theme - My Diet

Tonight I was in the mood to start my theme also using graphite.  Instead of a mechanical pencil, I chose to grab a regular 4B drawing pencil after a friend of mine shared his pencil sketches with me earlier in the day.  One of the things I love more about a regular pencil is being able to use the side of the lead.  The two big drawbacks, however, is the smudging using a softer grade pencil and the fact the lead wears down requiring sharpening.  

Monthly theme for June is "My diet" sketching/painting a minimum of three to six items that might fit the theme.  Not to mistaken "dieting" but instead foods I am eating at this point.....good or bad.  I'm TRYING to get back to eating healthier foods as I've been on a very long binge of eating comfort foods causing some health issues I'd rather not be dealing with.  It's difficult when one can't sleep and all those extra hours of being awake results in my wanting to eat....normally sweets or high carb foods such as bread and other highly processed foods.

One of the dishes I like to eat that is actually healthy is Kale...minus the bacon we use for flavoring.  Although it's actually not too bad with the number of slices used in the size pot of Kale we make.  We like making what some might consider a soup.

A very simple recipe using a bunch (as packaged at the store) of Kale, three to four slices of bacon, onion, and jalapeno pepper (just to add a slight kick but not too much heat) sautéed in the pan and then simmered together in about three to four cups of water.  I could sit and just drink the broth.   

With this latest batch, I decided to add grilled diced chicken giving the "soup" some extra protein and body.  Next time we want to try using chicken broth instead of just water for extra flavoring to see which way we like best.  We may also add spinach which we've done in the past and really liked.

9 x 12" Alpha sketchbook using Mars Lumograph 4B pencil.

Premature Grapefruit in Graphite

It's been a couple of weeks since I've done any sketching.  Instead I have been taking a little break I evidently needed until the desire hit to pick up my sketchbook.

Terry had brought in a premature grapefruit he had to pull as it was putting too much stress on a limb causing fear it might snap from the weight.  We were supposed to remove ALL fruit this year allowing the energy to go into the tree itself.  He pulled all but about 12.  As I was sitting here looking at this particular one, I had the itch to sketch it...showing the size relative to my hand.  

Alpha sketchbook with mechanical pencil and .7 lead.

Ibis, Dessert, and Orchid

After the big disappointment with the Magnolia, I decided to redirect my interest in other things to sketch.

One of the days I went out to check on the Magnolia, these Ibis were in the back near the tree.  I was able to move around a bit without scaring them taking pictures.  These guys seldom come to the back yard so it was a surprise to me to see them there.

Terry went to get some ice cream for us and knowing I'm trying to watch my calorie intake, he found these mini cones.  Nestles makes mini drumsticks and I have always loved their large cones but Publix was out of them.  So he decided to get these from Blue Bunny for me to try. 

Last month I worked a watercolor sketch and a digital sketch of my orchid at the bud stage.  I wanted to work another digital with it in full bloom and got a bit carried away.  This took me hours starting yesterday morning at 10 a.m. and worked it off and on until 4:30 this morning.  Then I picked back up on it at around noon and finished this afternoon.  Today's work was fine tuning after a few hours of sleep and fresh eyes adding deeper values, blending and smoothing edges.

Big Disappointment - Magnolia Flower

So far I have seen and monitored two buds that opened and went through the stages up to all petals turning brown.  There was another bud ready to open as of last night I was so looking forward to seeing as there were no limbs or bunches of leaves to hinder the flower from opening completely.  

When I woke up, I went outside and took a picture of that bud and knew that sometime through the day, it would definitely open.  And I was right.  UNFORTUNATELY, sometime during the day, something attacked this flower leaving petals on the ground exposing an entire side of the center.  Chances are it may have been squirrels as we have an over-abundance of them this year eating up our growing avocados and causing havoc at our bird feeders.  Neighbors are also complaining about how bad the squirrels are this year.  One neighbor in particular has already trapped over two dozen (just from his yard) relocating them to the National Forest near us.

Last page in journal from Fay.  TWSBI 580ALR w/#41 Brown / QoR and DS watercolors.

Watching and Documenting Growth of Magnolia Flower

When we moved into the house we first rented and then purchased, we cut down all but about 6 feet of trunk of a scraggly looking magnolia we didn't think was doing well.  Our plan was to place a bird house on top hoping to attract Blue Birds.  We never got around to building the bird house and the next thing we knew, we had new growth growing from this trunk to include side branches.  Here a few years later we have a nicely shaped magnolia tree.

The type we have is an evergreen variety (Southern Magnolia??) that is showy with dark green leaves on the front or top surface and a gold/bronze color underneath.  The leaves are large and waxy.

We noticed the last two years the tree had actually produced a few flowers only because we saw the seed pods.  We kept missing the flowers themselves.  This year I was determined to see them and starting around mid April, I started locating a few flower buds.  At first I could only find three but have since noticed several others...mainly up higher.

At first it was hard to distinguish between leaf buds and flower buds but didn't take long to notice the difference.  The flower buds are fuller at the base looking like a bulb compared to the leaf buds.

Over the weekend we saw our first flower open in a cup shape.  Come evening I noticed the flower closed up.   Next morning I found the flower was wide open spilling stamens that would catch on the cup shaped petals.  By evening, the petals were turning a Burnt Sienna like color of brown.  My understanding is that the flower life is basically two full days before turning brown and petals finally dropping leaving a cone shape that continues to develop into seed pods.

As of yesterday we had two fully opened flowers - both at the point of petals turning brown.  There is one bud that is getting close to opening and have found several others at the point in this first sketch.

First two using sketchbook with Fabriano Hotpress paper.  TWSBI 580ALR (F) w/#41 Brown ink.  QoR and DS watercolors.

This one using same sketchbook but using TWSBI Eco (EF) w/Urban Grey ink / same watercolors.

Didn't feel like messing with watercolor so I worked this rough sketch in Stillman and Birn Alpha sketchbook using mechanical pencil .7

State of flower as of last night.