Saturday, August 30, 2008

Today is the Virtual Sketch Date


The Virtual Sketch Date has come around once again. The photo ref was an ornamental cabbage. Beautiful image. Great colors. Lots of veins. I am not so happy with mine. I couldn't match the colors of the ref photo and I went in too fast with the purple in the center. Once the purple is there, if it is too dark, it's there to stay. Plus the colors are more muted than my usual or for my taste.

About 1/4 into the picture, I almost gave up and tossed it. The only thing that made me keep trying was the fact that I had signed up to do the sketch. Several times in the process, I was tempted to stop. But I think the picture I ended with isn't bad, just isn't what I wanted it to be.

Postcard sized on Bristol Smooth paper with colored pencils.

17 comments:

Cathy Gatland said...

I think it's a lesson not to always give up when things aren't going perfectly (that I learnt too!). This is lovely and fresh, and those lines so lively...if the colours aren't exactly like the original, who's to know once the sketch date is over!

Vivienne said...

The yellow-greens are great against the purple, and it certainly is a good looking cabbage! I admire your patience with the pencils, and that fine network of lines. Very organic.
Isn't it weird to think of all these people painting and drawing cabbage?

laine lea said...

Great Job Jeanne! Glad you didn't 'give up'~ sometimes we critize our own work too much! You mention in your blog about post cards - is this something your doing with your art work?
Laine

Joan said...

Jeanne - You did a really nice job on this. Your persistence paid off. I love your veining!!! Ornamental cabbages aren't easy to do, but you'd never know it looking at this. Nice work!!

Leslie Hawes said...

I like it just fine, and I'm glad you didn't stop!
The purple is dynamic against the green.

Stacy said...

Jeanne, good for you for not giving up. I think the beauty of the VSD is it makes us tackle a subject we wouldn't pick on our own. And you were brave to tackle this is colored pencil. I thought about it but realized it would take me much longer than a week. I like how you carried the purple of the center out to the leaf shadows.

Andy said...

Hi Jeanne, I really like this, the technique and the strong focal point. I wonder how many of us hit the "shall I bin it?" barrier? Glad you didn't.

Grangry said...

I like this - to me it looks like a variety called 'January King' - one of my favourites. Nice interpretation. I like the veining and the way you added just the right touch of colour!

Rhonda Bartoe Tucker said...

SO glad you didn't toss it; it's wonderful! Love the loose strokes and, yes, your color choices. Great piece. I can relate to your frustration, but have found that sometimes when I'm the most uncomfortable, I have an amazing creative discovery. Keep up the good work!

Rose Welty said...

Jeanne, I really liked the bands of color you achieved in this piece - almost like great big green and purple stripes on a flag - it draws you into the piece. Nicely done.

BARBARA WEEKS said...

I love your color interpretation. I also admire your patience with all those veins, nicely done.

Nic Bridges said...

I find things rarely end up as I had envisioned, but that's the fun part!!! I like your drawing, in particular the linear mark-making.

Marion said...

Glad you did not give up. It was well worth finishing.

Kari Gibson said...

Fabulous work! I love the vibrancy of your mark-making, it has great energy. The colours you have used are delicious together.

Gail Bartel said...

Hi Jeanne,
Since when do the colors have to match the photo anyway? I think your version is terrific. I love the purple. I'm glad you kept at it....I usually have to have time away from my work so I can come back and then appreciate it to its full extent.
Nice blog by the way.
gail

laura said...

This drawing has a very strong design quality--the radiating leaf shapes are so interesting, rhythmic. The subtle coloration provides a nice contrast to the strong lines!

A Brush with Color said...

I'm loving seeing these--each one really is so unique but they're all just wonderful! So pretty!