Sketching Flowers – 23. Parnassia palustris

Parnassia palustris, called the Grass of Parnassus by Dioscorides is actually not a grass, but a dicot, member of Celastraceae family, the one in which the recently drawn spindle (Euonymus) is also included. The 10-20 cm stem spring from a cluster of smooth heart-shaped leaves and beautifies bogs and alpine areas with its delicate white … Continue reading Sketching Flowers – 23. Parnassia palustris

Sketching a Blue Anemone with Ink and Watercolor

Have you noticed how many anemone species are booming in the spring? I was surprised to see in our area no less than 5 species of anemone: 1. A. ranunculoides (yellow anemone, yellow wood anemone, or buttercup anemone)2. A. sylvestris syn. Anemonoides sylvestris (snowdrop anemone)3. A. blanda (the balkan anemone)4. A. nemorosa ( wood anemone) … Continue reading Sketching a Blue Anemone with Ink and Watercolor

Between Art and Science

These days my creative work is divided between Botanical Portraits and the Botanical Journal.Drawing portraits of plants is mostly about beauty and art. Using old masters techniques and translating them into what I think I can call already my own handwriting, I try to capture the essence, the graceful movement, the perfection I see in … Continue reading Between Art and Science

Drawing and Painting a Geastrum Mushroom in my Botanical Journal

I came across this Geastrum (earthstar) mushroom in a coniferous forest by the end of November. Geastrum is a species of inedible and saprophage fungus, it obtain its nutrients by decomposing green matter. The fruit body develops at first underground (hypogeous) in the form of a small ball. As it matures, it pushes up through … Continue reading Drawing and Painting a Geastrum Mushroom in my Botanical Journal