Bloomin' 15x22" charcoal on Rives BFK (work in progress)
I have been trying to capture a shadow from my Japanese Magnolia tree for a week now. Either the buds were simply not ready to be "caught", or it was raining and hailing, and the petals were knocked off.
Yesterday, I was determined to find the light, and that I did. The buds cooperated. Though most of the blossoms are above my head. I was sure those driving by thought I was quite the sight. Good for them to know that art does not just "happen". Occasionally we work for our inspiration.
I love this tree. My children spent many hours climbing it's multiple trunks, and sitting, watching the world go by. I rarely planted flowers underneath it because I knew it would be trampled. Last week, I had my gardener plant flowers. Then I proceeded to trample them as I was capturing the tree's shadow. Go figure.
It is an interesting tree, because the blooms often fall immediately upon opening. It is my "snow", as the ground is white for a while. I wish there was a way that I could keep the blooms up longer. Yet, that is why we must capture the precious moments, because they are gone too soon.
Magnolia x Soulangiana 2/12/09
Flickr/Robin N
Facebook/Robin Neudorfer
Linkedin/Robin Neudorfer
Twitter/RSNeudorfer
Blogger/rednews
9 comments:
I really like your charcoal drawings. I have never done much in charcoal as I always thought it too messy, opting for graphite instead. I think it might be worth trying out again though!
Robin, this will be another wonderful charcoal. I marvel at the different degrees of values in the shadows of the one before. The way you are able to render the shadow of the branches in a way the edges of WC looks, is impressive.
Carolyn Ann- I use to think it was too messy as well, then I found this yummy paper, charcoal pencils, and I have learned to keep my figures out of it.
I highly recommend giving it another chance.
Mary - Thank you
I know you understand how filling in the tooth is important with this paper. It does allow for layers of charcoal. However, it does take patience.
Well done, Robin.:) I can just picture you frantically trying to capture these shadows before the light shifted. IMO, mission accomplished! I think that's neat that this particular tree has nostalgic meaning, too.
Robin, great drawing and beautiful tree. Nice to see your post!
Yes, I did have to hurry. However, I have never felt frantic. I can always take the chamois and rub it out and begin again. However, this time my neighbor came by and asked if it would be a distraction if she watched. I was honest, and I told her. "yes, today it would be." She was nice about it and said she would come another time to see it.
Jo - Thank you so much for your support. I wish I could show these all side by side. Guess you will have to wait until they are all framed and up on a wall somewhere.
This drawing is exquisite--I love the various shades of grey and how you've covered the pages; the lines are great--and I also like how you can't tell what some shapes are. It's just great in every way!
Post a Comment