Thursday 4 December 2014

Hydrangea High

                                        
                                               Micron pen and watercolour on paper

 
The top image is a photograph of the work and the bottom is a scan. The colours of the top image are very close to the original but the background has come out very grey. In the scanned image the background isn't a problem but the picture itself is - the colours are very washed out. It is interesting to see the differences. I will stick to photographing my work for now.
 
Below is the beautiful hydrangea that I painted from life. It is very handily positioned near the back door and I was able to sketch it from the comfort of a chair indoors.
 

Unlike my first hydrangea to flower, this one has very large blooms. I get high on these flowers - they are so stunning and last for so long. I love watching the colours develop and change as they mature. They are amongst my all-time favourite cultivated flowers - my favourites make for a very long list.

Oh yes, I have been meaning to provide a link to my travel article that was published back in October in The West Australian newspaper in the weekend travel section. It is based on my sketching experiences while visiting the UK earlier in the year. If you would like to read it click here.  Prior to the online version it appeared in print in a two page spread with half a dozen images. All very exciting!!

 
And last - and least, (the sketch itself being the least rather than the occasion on which I executed it) I did this quick sketch below while enjoying a cuppa on the balcony with my mum the other week.
 

27 comments:

  1. So interesting to see the differences between photographing and scanning. I have never tried scanning and wondered about it.

    Congrats on the article! Your skill and patience come through! I know I should draw everyday....it's on my goal list. Glad you enjoyed your trip and incorporated your artist self in it.

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    1. Thanks so much Kaethe! I just have a pretty basic scanner so I'm sure a higher quality one could do a better job. Strangely, it seems to be doing a reasonably good job of scanning old photos to put in a photo-book I'm currently working on. I love your latest paintings!!

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  2. Hi Wendy, Hydrangeas are one of my favourite flowers too. You've done a beautiful pen and watercolour of them!
    I just read your travel article too. Wow! A great article and I LOVED your sketches. I should' r been more disciplined and sketched whilst in Paris. Well done you!
    I do intend holding Workshops next year ..........stay tuned. :-)

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    1. Thanks Helen! I would love to attend one of your workshops if I am able to work in a jaunt to Melbourne next year. It would be such fun!

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  3. Wendy, I love the combination of the ink and the watercolor in the sketch of the hydrangea. You nailed the mixture of colors in the petals that is so enchanting in the blooms. I always take photos of my sketches to post them, but I use my flash because I find that the background ( especially in those when I use ink) comes out grey.

    In answer to your question on my blog about my ink those were done with a Tombow marker which is double tipped...narrow on one end and a brush-like tip on the other. As soon as you touch it the ink bleeds wonderfully. I really like the way it works. The next time I am at Dick Blick I'm going to buy one in another color...maybe sepia to see how it works.

    LOVED the article!!! Congrats! How did you get invited to put write the article? You explained the benefits of sketching vs photographing very well. Thanks so much for the link.

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    1. Thanks so much Joan! I have tried using a flash before but found that it also washed out the colours - maybe I should try it again. I will keep the Tombow marker in mind when I next visit my art supply shop - I love what you have done with it.

      I'm glad you enjoyed reading the article. I wasn't invited to write it - I just rang the travel editor and pitched the idea to him. I had sold a travel article a while back and felt the sketching-while-travelling idea might be of enough interest for a second opportunity.
      As always I'm amazed at your prolific and inspiring output!

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  4. That's so cool that you had an article published with your drawings and notations about your travels! Wow! I love the effects you're getting with the micron pen, and the hydrangeas really do have something special that no other flower has. You brought out that quality so beautifully. I found that I usually like the photos I take myself of my artwork rather than what my scanner can reproduce. However, when I get my work professionally scanned at a printer, it's a whole different story. I guess the quality of the scanner makes a big difference.

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    1. You are very kind Katherine! You are so right about the quality of the scanner. I have had a range of greeting cards produced from some of my paintings and had them professionally scanned. The quality was fantastic. The scanner they used and the one I have at home are two different species entirely! I intend catching up on your wonderful blog this afternoon.

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  5. Wonderful news that your travel sketches were published! Sketching or painting on location develops those visual memory banks which we all need help with... ha! It gives your work a sense of place that no camera can capture. Bravo to you, Wendy! And your hydrangea drawing is delightful. Love how those flowers can be dried to last even longer. One of my favorites but not native to Florida except in a flowerpot.

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    1. Thanks so much Diane! Your beautiful work is the perfect example of capturing a sense of place by painting on location.
      Hydrangeas aren't native to here either - I wonder where they originate from?

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  6. Lovely hydrangeas and brilliant that your sketches featured in the paper. I have never scanned my paintings as they are bigger than a3 so photograph every time. thanks for your recent blog visit too Wendy

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    1. Thanks Lorraine! Good luck with your Wash a Week Challenge - I feel tempted to join you! I so love your latest watercolour work!

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  7. Hydrangeas are among my real favorite flowers and I love to paint them too. Beautiful colors on these and so true to real !

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    1. Thank you Jane! I would love to see some more photos of your amazing garden when everything comes back into bloom - I'd also love to see how it looks in winter! I intend catching up on your wonderful blog this afternoon.

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  8. Dear Wendy - read your wonderful article and sketches - congratulations! You should be so proud my friend. As for the Hydrangeas - gorgeous...just love your pen and ink of them. Hope you are having a lovely week-end. Hugs!

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    1. You are so sweet Debbie! I hope you are having a lovely weekend too! I really enjoy seeing your seasons unfold along with your beautiful artwork!

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  9. Hello Wendy! I so very much enjoyed reading your fantastic and so well written article! Congratulations! I love your sketches. I very much enjoyed your comments about sketching in public! I am glad you didn't let the bystanders take you out of your "art zone!" Good on you Mate! Not only do you sketch very well but you write very well also! Bravo!
    I loved your hydrangeas! Great job rendering the colors and the form of the flower! We also have hydrangeas. I also love watching the flowers change colors as they grow! This season, not sure why, my usually blueish hydrangeas where more of a bright purple color? Also the leaves seemed so much greener. Maybe because we had copious amounts of spring rains?
    Great work and glad to see you back making art and posting for all to enjoy!
    Take care Wendy!
    Michael

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    1. A very belated thanks to you Michael for your kind comments! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the article! Your purple hydrangeas sound lovely! Do you have to feed them with something special to get them to come out blue/purple? I hope you are enjoying your wintry weather and that you may even enjoy a white Christmas!!
      Your art buddy, Wendy

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  10. Your beautiful hydrangea pulled me in! They are some of my favorite blossoms and quite a challenge to paint. Well done! Congratulations on your article!

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    1. So kind of you Laura! Yes, hydrangeas are irresistible aren't they?

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  11. Congratulations Wendy on the publication of your article, very interesting! I love your sketches and paintings! Your hydrangeas are gorgeous, they are such lovely flowers!
    Your post reminds me I should spend more time sketching!

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    1. Thanks so much Debi, I hope you do get a chance to do some sketching - it is very addictive!!

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  12. Hi Wendy,
    So nice to hear from you. I have been snowed under with all the building going on here. It's nearly finished, now so all Bill and I have to do is the painting. I have to try and catch up with other blogs!
    I love your pen and watercolour Hydrangea, it's lovely and delicate...also really enjoyed the photos and reading about the Groat St festival and bush walk. That would have been awesome!

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    1. I really appreciate your comments Karen! I can only imagine how much work you have going on over there at the moment! I hope it won't be too long before you can enjoy your new studio! I hope you will post some photos!

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  13. Hydrangeas are on my list too and yours are super! Gorgeous color! I have tried to scan my images but they never come out, it would be easier if it worked. Congratulations on having your article published, and I am happy you are enjoying the good weather with your sketchbook. A big hug to you Wendy!

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    1. Thanks so much Celia! I've really enjoyed seeing all your sketches of late. I hope you are still getting a chance to work plein air occasionally despite it being winter where you are! I hope you are enjoying the lead in to Christmas!

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  14. Wonderful watercolor. Very inspiring. It's so challenging getting good copies of my work as well. I'm still on the lookout for a scanner that will scan my art as it looks - not wash it out. So, for now, I use my i-phone camera! :)

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