SBA Assignment #4

Flower Heads

This assignment called for seven flower heads, life size, each showing a maximum of 6cm of stem but no leaves.  We had to show different shapes, colors and sizes with each flower to its best advantage.

The flowers I picked from top left to bottom right are:

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Fuchsia 'Royal Velvet'

Cymbidium

Eschschotzia californica, 'California Poppy'

Nigella damascene, 'Love-in-a-mist'

Calceolaria integrifolia, 'Pocketbook plant'

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sonata Pink'

Each one of these flower heads were quite the challenge.  

First I had to find flowers in all different colors, shapes and sizes.

I had about 15 picked and then started narrowing them down to the final 7

Then took photographs of each one, printed them out, cut them out and started playing with the composition.

The comment from my tutor in regards to composition was to be aware that there is a tendency, when placing subjects on an Assignment requiring seven items. to place one in each corner and three in the center.  Be aware of this and take care.  Your Hibiscus is so strong the viewer would find it difficult to move the eye over the remainder of the page.  

Wouldn't that always be the case though, no matter where I put the Hybiscus?  It's always going to stand out the most.  Not sure what I would do different.  Only received a 9.0 on Composition.

Next it started with the Orchid since I had a hard time finding a green one and I didn't want it to die on me.  So this was one of my hardest flowers to draw.  The column was so hard to differentiate from the rest of the flower behind it, because there was so much bright white on the middle of the flower.  Got marked down for that one. Tutor commented got lost trying to follow the detail in the centre of the Cymbidium.

Then I worked my way around the page picking the flowers that were blooming at the time.

My Hybiscus got the highest praise from the tutor. My tutor commented Your Hibiscus is stunning and shows such a wonderful deep throat.

Received a lot of constructive notes from my tutor, but all in all, I am OK with my mark of 9.1

Step by Step coloring of my California Poppy

Coloring in the Shadows
Note: The blue on the stem is masking fluid

Adding in a bit more shading

Adding a bit of coloring

Bit more color

Skipped a few steps
Added a few shades of orange
Colored in the stem

Tutors comment Be careful when drawing stamens that you do not make them all look exactly the same and not too fat

My tutor had received my package damaged in the post and had to be taped up by the postal people.  Fortunately, I received it back with only a few creases in the corner.

Final Mark 9.17

Glad to have it back and move on to my next assignment.

Jenean's Garden

Went to visit my girlfriends garden.  It's like going to a Botanical Garden, complete with Orchard, Koi Pond, and a view of the caboose next door.   I had so much fun taking pictures of all the treasures she has hidden around every corner.  The flowers are all amazing, definitely a Botanists dream :)

Pots overflowing with flowers on the patio

Huge Hibiscus bush with dozens if not hundreds of blooms.

One of Jenean's garden treasures, a glass sphere.

Secret garden leading to the fruit orchard

Bird Feeder in the middle of the flowers.  A birds paradise!

Even a cactus garden, Jenean has everything back here!

Huge Koi pond with dozens of large Koi.  Wooden decking around the front to visit the Koi and waterfalls that delights the ears. 

A baby mouse hidden away on a table.  So many fun things to discover.

Besides visiting Jenean, the reason I went to visit was to find some out of the ordinary flowers to paint for my SBA Flower Assignment.  

The assignment must comprise seven flower heads, life size, each showing a maximum of 6cm of stem but No leaves.  Show examples of different shapes, colours, and sizes.  Try to show each flower to its best advantage with the salient parts of its construction on display. 

I need a blue colored flower, so this Columbine will work perfect. Does anyone know what variety it is?

These are great, love the color, the petals and the stamens.  Though the stamens are not my favorite thing to draw, but I need the practice.  Anyone know the name?

Loved this rose 'Double Delight'.  Great coloring with a pale yellow center deep inside.

My favorite was this thingy.  Never seen it before.  It starts out with a red flower, grows green seeds/fruit(?) and then they turn dark purple.  This one I am definitely going to draw for my assignment.

Anyone know the name of this one?

Fun afternoon at Jenean's.

I've got  

Now I just have to start sketching.

Check back for my progress on this assignment!