Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Drawing the Petunia



Drawing the Petunia

4 x 4 1/2in  pencil on archival card  $50.

I painted the Petunia a few days ago and magical things
happened to the cutting as it continued to grow and bloom.
I did two drawings of the progression and this is the
first one.


Artist Note.

I used a mechanical pencil for all of the drawing
and went in with a number 6 (softer and blacker)
for the darker areas. I lifted off with a kneaded eraser
where I wanted soft blending.
It was done on an off-white, acid free, linen card as
I liked the ridged texture and wanted to see if
it would create an interesting surface.








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21 comments:

  1. The nature surprises us! Dear Julie, you really have a green thumb! (So ,in Italian, for those who seem to give life to plants with their presence).
    A design very much alive,the paper texture is lovely.
    Have a nice day!

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    Replies
    1. AS always dear Rita your words are like poetry.
      Thank you... and have a nice day too.

      Delete
  2. great drawing! would love to see the progression . . . such a good idea!

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  3. It is amazing to see flowers continue to bloom after the cutting.. I like this, Julie! I've never worked with mechanical pencils..I love the texture in the paper...

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    Replies
    1. It has amazed me. I now have four flowers growing from the original cutting.
      thanks for the visit, Hilda.

      Delete
  4. Interesting to see your progress and preparation of the painting. I know that it would be a good thing for me to do the same, but I am so used to just draw up the motive with paint directly on the canvas/panel that I have problem doing it any other way. Must learn to sketch.

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    Replies
    1. Actually the drawing came afterwards. The darn flower kept on developing and buds emerging and flowering. I am following the progression because it delights me.

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  5. I love it! Graphite pieces are always so beautiful to me as they are, to my mind, the first steps of any art piece. Oh to draw so well!

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    Replies
    1. Unlike charcoal the full range of the dark in pencil is not a deep black. I rather like the more gentle transitions.
      Thanks Crimson.

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  6. Bravo on the great drawing, Julie!! You have managed to capture a fractured look. Same feel as your terrific paintings!

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    Replies
    1. Glad you like it, Dean. I am trying to make it look consistent with my painting but there is no way to fracture on this type of paper. I did try!
      Your cat is pretty amazing considering you used your fingers too.

      Delete
  7. How bizarre ... you drawing in 'mono' whilst I am drawing in colour... you, it should be said, are doing rather better job than I.

    Really like this one!

    Thanks for the balloon fiesta link - vety interesting

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    Replies
    1. You are doing color? Ink, right?
      These are small little sketches - nothing to touch your skill with the pen and ink.

      Wot - no humour today, laddie - I feel deprived.

      Delete
    2. "Yes ... ink," he replied, pen sively.

      No humour today, I'm afraid, I had to have a passport photo taken - without anaesthetic!

      Delete
  8. I really enjoy drawing with graphite, conte, and charcoal and should do more of it. Like the results of this one very much.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Roseanne. I like charcoal too. Congrats on your new studio space.

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  9. What a great exercise. Look at the dark and light pattern. Lovely drawing.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Helen. The next one is more complex because the original large flower has started to droop and the buds are really opening up.
      Lucky you living near some barns you can paint.

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie