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
Last week's drawing tutorials were dedicated to the drawing of hazelnuts. Using the specimens collected over the years, I made three studies from life, starting from the simplest, a single Corylus avellana fruit, the common hazelnut. In the second video I practiced some quick gestural drawings, looking at the different postures of the fruit. Finally … Continue reading Drawing Tutorials – Hazelnuts
I was looking for a flower whose color would make the transition from green to blue and which could have been more suitable than the jade vine? The plant is native to Philippines and it's grown in gardens all over the world. The color, which we find impressive due to its rarity in the plant … Continue reading Daily Sketches – 20. Strongylodon macrobotrys (Jade Vine)
Today's tutorial was a request from one of my lovely Patrons, the sketching of a Peony flower. In this video you will learn how to estimate proportions between the center ( carpels, stamens and anthers) and the rest of the flower and how to use construction line and geometrical shapes to draw the petals. Here … Continue reading Daily Sketches – 18. Paeonia
Today's sketch is of Molucella laevis, also called Bells of Ireland. The plant has nothing to do with Ireland, except the striking green color, being original from Turkey, Syria and Asia. Inflorescences are arranged in whorls of 6-8 around the stem and they are composed of a large cup-shaped calyx and a white or purple-pink, … Continue reading Daily Sketches – 17. Molucella laevis
Lamprocapnos spectabilis, formely known as Dicentra spectabilis (a scientific name still widely used) has this very easily recognizable heart shape, hence the popular name of bleeding-heart. Other common names include lyre flower, heart flower and lady-in-a-bath. The flower has 2 large outer petals (those in the shape of a heart) and two inner petals, narrow, … Continue reading Daily Sketches – June 30 Flowers – 9. Lamprocapnos spectabilis
The blossoms of columbines may look complex but they conform to the model of 5-star flower forms. 5 lanceolate, petal-like sepals are interspersed with 5 petals standing upward, spurred or saccate at the base. In the spur, there is nectar on which bees, hawk moths and hummingbirds feed. Stamens are numerous (often more than 50) … Continue reading Daily Sketches – June 30 Flowers – 6. Aquilegia
Many artists today, including me, draw with liners. They are smudge proof, waterproof and allegedly lightfast. They provide you with a constant flow of ink, they are not messy and easy to transport. Drawing with liners looks more like etching. It can be brought to the level of fine art and it is something I'm … Continue reading Drawing with Dip Pen and Ink. Marks
While with watercolor I came to the conclusion that I am not interested in photorealistic rendering and I'm happy with more loose, suggestive recordings, for which any paper, brush or watercolour will do, with ink I'm still searching for the best ink, nib and paper. By "best" I mean the perfect equilibrium between the quality … Continue reading Drawing with Dip Pen and Ink. Materials
How to draw a cluster of flowers (umbel inflorescence): Step 1 - Draw...
Alina Lupu 