Forum Role: Participant
Active Since: October 14, 2019
Topics Started: 0
Replies Created: 29

Forum Replies Created

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 29 total)
  • Claire
    Participant
    The first image is the upside drawing which I did totally using the method you suggested. It is really hard not to check, but I didn't until I had finished it. After I had finished I did add the color, but should probably have waited until you give us the instruction for that. Sorry. I was so motivated by the color in the entries of other students, that I got carried away. I was surprised at how much more accurate my drawing was than other drawings I have done. IMG_0032 IMG_0032
  • Claire
    Participant
    This refining was difficult for me. If it weren't for the negative space practice I would have been in big trouble. I decided to color it since I couldn't define the light from the dark on such a small scale. I'll keep trying.  I found that the upside down exercise was very helpful and surprisingly accurate. Kind of hard to do in the wild though. So I think it finally helped to get this bird to look like a small marsh wren which I think it might be because of its environment. I looked it up and confirmed that ID by the wide open mouth and its other markings. I'm so glad they sing or we would never find them. IMG_0030 IMG_0031
  • Claire
    Participant
    I was very encouraged when I looked at the pages of my fellow students to try the colors and got very excited by the Koi Watercolors. I then added color to my last pages and what a difference it makes. I am also adding another attempt at the comparison study. I used two types of onions. the first is a sweet onion and the second is a yellow onion. I'm getting used to the colors and realize that the journal I am using doesn't have the greatest paper for watercolor. It is not a pure white page for one thing, and it doesn't release paint or blend like Archers which has been my favorite for years. I will try the ringed notebook that you recommended. IMG_0029 crop This is my second comparison described above drawn January 27, 2020 at 2:00 inside on a very snowy day here in CO. IMG_0028 crop  
  • Claire
    Participant
    Your page is so beautiful it could be printed in a botany book. I'm jealous.
  • Claire
    Participant
    I love the way you included all aspects of each tree but didn't feel you had to draw the entire tree. I have a lot to learn.
  • Claire
    Participant
    I'm hoping to be able to simplify my drawing and subject matter like you have done with your comparison study of these two leaves. They are great drawings and look good on your page.
  • Claire
    Participant
    This is so effective and well drawn.
  • Claire
    Participant
    Very nice composition of your page and beautiful drawings.
  • Claire
    Participant
    When I did my tree shapes I never thought of just focusing on just the needles and cones. I love it. Maybe I should break off a twig and cone and work inside to finish off my journal page of Lodge pole pine and Blue spruce comparison
  • Claire
    Participant
    What a beautiful journal page. I love the way you interwove your comments with your pictures. It isn't messy and looks planned. I have trouble with that.
  • Claire
    Participant
    That is a great idea for me in cold Colorado right now, and you did a great job capturing the real thing.
  • Claire
    Participant
    What beautiful fine drawing. Mine get so messy. I'm hoping to develop the ability to get it right the first time.
  • Claire
    Participant
    I love your drawings. Did you use ink? Adding the limited color as you did is very effective
  • Claire
    Participant
    The date is January, 26, 2020. I began drawing at 1:45 and finished at 2:25. It is a sunny, cold day with the wind blowing the light snow off the buildings so I stayed inside looking out the door to the balcony to our condo in Breckenridge, CO. I compared two evergreen trees: No. 1 is a Lodge pole pine, No. 2 is a Colorado blue spruce. The foliage is spare on the pine and my summation is that because it was formerly a forest the sunlight was restricted to the trees and so the foliage is always at the top third of the tree. The Spruce is denser and the needles as shorter than the pine, probably no more than an inch long on the longest, and the frond is probably anywhere from 3 inches to 10 with these needles coming out all sides of the frond. The branches start out sloping slightly down but then make a graceful turn upwards with continuous fronds of needles diminishing in length as the branch gets longer. The needles of the Pine are probably about three inches long and seem to stem from the end of a small twig which is attached to the larger branch. These larger branches slope down from the trunk of the tree and then make a graceful curve upward and are very wavy when the wind blows. The trunk of the pine is more warm brown, very rough with little holes in it probably form birds like the Cross Bills we saw pecking on the trees last fall. I think it is also Downy Woodpeckers who might make those holes. The bark of the Blue spruce seems to have small scale like flakes that are closely attached to the trunk. These seem to reflect the light when it falls on them through the dense branches. My drawing of the branches of the blue spruce doesn't give the effect of the denseness of the foliage, because I stopped with the detail and only drew the slope of the branches going out from the tree. Imagine the whole tree going to the ground with the density of the detail I drew in the top half of the picture. There were clumps of snow on occasional branches which held more than the smaller more individual foliage of the Lodge pole pine. This was a fun exercise to do and I will look forward to doing more when there are flower again in Colorado, or when I get home to Denver and my bird feeders. IMG_0025
  • Claire
    Participant
    What a fun posture for this bird, we have seen storks, and flamingos sleeping in this one-legged posture and I wondered what this bird is? You drew it so simply and well.
  • Claire
    Participant
    I love your accomplished drawings; they are amazing
  • Claire
    Participant
    Your bird paintings are amazing; they are so feathery and definitive. I would like to be able to develop a similar technique for journaling. I have never disciplined myself to do it.
  • Claire
    Participant
    I love your fresh, fluid little watercolor treatment of this location. I can't wait for spring when I can find a sit spot out of doors. Starting in January in Colorado hasn't been productive, yet.
  • Claire
    Participant
    Your leaves look real and not like paintings in the least. It is encouraging that you were able to accomplish that with the little set of colors we were asked to purchase. I have yet to use mine, but will on my next try.
  • Claire
    Participant
    I find your woods very inviting and the little downy is so typical of the beautiful surprise they are to the walker who suddenly hears their taps and finds them.
Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 29 total)