Similar? Or Perfect? Are these Opposites or Nearly the Same?
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| Flowers are starting to 'Pop UP' Everywhere - Why not in your Sketchbook too! |
Have you ever thought about it?
As I was doing my video for this post, ‘Drawing Leaves and Stems”, I found myself thinking these words over and over.
*** Learn more about my Sketching Practice at The Thursday Night Artist Talks, April 4, 2024, 7:30-9pm. - 'Capturing Nature's Beauty on the Go' with Wendy Mould. Surrey Art Gallery, 13750 88 Ave, Surrey., V3W3L1
** Further discussion for this post can be found on my YouTube video: New Ways to Add Stems and Leaves to Your Flowers.
Do I really want ‘perfect’ leaves? Not really. . .
Nature is messy. It has leaves that are bent, chewed, broken, and spotted. When we view them, we see them, sideways, foreshorten, 3/4 angled and even upside down. Few leaves are seen in their perfect pristine shape. Yet, somehow this is forgotten, when pencil hits paper.
My last post was about drawing 5 Petal flowers. (See it HERE.) Today, I want to put some stems and leaves with those flowers. This is the fun part. Now, you are making the stage for those beautiful flowers to shine.
I have drawn a flower and 2 buds and I am ready to add the Stems and Leaves.
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| With Pen (.05 Pigma) Pencil and Kneaded Eraser I am ready-to-roll. |
Drawing Leaves and Stems
Stems - using a pencil, draw a line emanating from the center of the flower. Stems aren’t straight, curve your line to make an interesting shape. Once you’re happy with it, make it wide enough to support your flower.
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| Once I have roughed in the Stems and Leaves, I am ready to put pen to paper |
Leaves - Here is where you really begin to learn about leaves. How big are they? Are they near the flower or further down the stem? Are they attached to the stem in pairs? Larger than the flower or smaller? When I first started drawing leaves, I realized I had never really looked at them. It made me take a second look. At this point I rough in my leaves with a pencil. (And remember, similar in shape not perfectly the same)
Take your pen to paper and draw in the stems and leaves.
Basics are Done - Now add the Fun Stuff. Embellishments: There are endless things that can be added to your flower. Here again I first use my pencil to draw some lines where I feel I want to add a shape. Then its time for vines, branches and twigs. Use them to balance your arrangement and bring in some dark values to set off your flowers. Let your pen work flow, making the leaves on these little branches, interesting, wondering in different directions and again, similar in shape not perfectly the same
Adding patterns to get different textures and darks and lights Finish with your pen. Don’t forget to add shadows to stems and branches.
Those little Shadows and Darks make your flowers shine
I must admit, I love the black and white sketch but you’re welcome to paint them if you want.
Try a few more designs: more flowers, large and small. Try a more graphic type leaf. (see my video for more examples). Add your own twigs, grasses or branches to spice it up. You will find you are soon jumping in with your pen very confidently. BTW You will also find you have a greater understanding for drawing flowers and plants from life.
***Check out my YouTube video "New Ways to Add Stems and Leaves to your Flowers" for more ideas as to leaves and embellishments.
Enjoy your drawing.
All inclusive 4 Day Outdoor Sketching Art Retreat, June 21-24, 2024 - Includes travel from Lower Mainland, accommodations, instruction and lots of Fun. $500 Wendy will be the instructor and Retreat Hosted by Joanne Dennis. Only a few spots left. Register Here.
Aventuras Artist Retreats with Joanne Dennis and Wendy Mould.
Outdoor Sketching 2.5hr Classes this summer 2024 - July & Aug. Dates to be Determined. Contact Wendy to get updates as to times and places.
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