One of my son's favorite places to visit is a garden store in our little town of Norway, Michigan. He's been on a botany kick lately and is pretty sure that when we go to the Garden Place, he can successfully hit Mom up for a new plant or two. We went there on Friday, and I took a few flower pictures with my phone while we were plant shopping. One of the beauties that we saw was a pot of pink calla lilies.
I sketched in pencil first, simplifying a bit by leaving out one of the mostly-hidden lilies so that I would have an odd number of lilies in my picture. Now, I need to share a secret about drawing: YOU CAN DO IT. It's not about some special hand muscle that some people are born with and others are mysteriously born without. It's mostly a matter of careful observation. Can you draw an "s?" Of course you can. If you have the manual dexterity to draw the alphabet, you can draw simple shapes, right?
Granted, it gets easier the more you do it (and it's been far too many years since I've regularly worked in my sketchbook). But you just look--look at angles and shapes and how they relate to each other--and then you draw what you see. Avoid the temptation to name everything. It is sometimes simpler to draw the negative spaces (or the spaces in between the shapes) than it is to draw the shapes themselves. I'm sure I'll gab more about this later, but for now, get used to the idea that you CAN learn to draw.
I used a Copic 0.3 gray mutiliner to ink the pencil lines that I wanted to keep and erased the others. I used the gray instead of black because I didn't want it to look like a line drawing when I finished coloring it. Besides, gray lines are less intimidating than black lines. Guess what? It isn't perfect. But that's okay. I gave myself permission to NOT stress so much over perfection that I never accomplish anything. Try it--it's very free-ing!
Here I have started coloring the greenery, using the Copic markers shown above. You know something else fun about art? It doesn't have to look exactly like the picture when you finish. That means that if I see purple in my shadows, I can put purple in my shadows instead of just a darker shade of green. Often you see a detail and emphasize it more than it really is. That's okay. You are exercising artistic license. By the way, getting the value right is much more important than getting the color right. A blue apple, shaded nicely, still looks like an apple. A red apple shaded poorly or inconsistently may look less like an apple than the well-shaded blue one. Trust me on this unless you want to draw some blue apples!
You may have noticed that I have more room on my paper above than I did in the original sketch: I scanned and printed my original sketch on some X-Press It Blender Card. Then if I really mess up, I still have the original.
Here I've shaded one of the lilies using the markers shown above.
Here are the rest of the Copic markers that I have used so far.
It still isn't finished. I'm not sure what I want to do with the foreground. I don't think I want the pot in the picture, nor my son's hand. I'll figure something out. But so far, I'm happy with it. By the way, I'm guessing that I have almost seven hours in this so far. Yes, I'm that slow!
__________________________________________
Now for some Copic Certification Class updates:
On May 26, I will be teaching a Copic Standard Certification in the Minneapolis/Eden Prairie area. (Later this year, probably around Scrapfest, I am hoping to get back to the area for an Intermediate Class.)
On June 10, I will be teaching a Copic Intermediate Certification in the Boston/Cambridge area.
On June 23, I will be teaching a Copic Intermediate Certification in the Wichita, Kansas area.
If you would like to know more about these classes or register for one, click here for more information.
Thank you for stopping by!
Oh my word lady! This is stunning. I love watching your process each time you recount it.
The one thing I'd love to sit down and learn from you is how you choose your contrasting colors ...that purple just MAKES the green pop. You're really great at this Debbie! I admire your work so much!
Posted by: ChristineCreations | 05/05/2011 at 07:12 PM
Wow you are truly amazaing! What a great drawing of the lilies and your colouring is exquisite!
Posted by: Louise Charlton | 05/05/2011 at 07:17 PM
You have kept this one quiet! What a pleasure to look at and appreciate the wonderful colouring you do. Can't wait to see what else you have in store
PS Love the blog header!!
Posted by: Cassandra | 05/05/2011 at 07:19 PM
WOW! I didn't know you could color AND draw in this amazingly gorgeous way! This is stunning!
Posted by: Melissa Ladd | 05/05/2011 at 07:23 PM
Stunning. It feels like I can out my hand out and touch it. Inspired, I am!
Posted by: Lisa Hetrick | 05/05/2011 at 07:29 PM
Wow, this is beautiful!
Posted by: Jan Hunnicutt | 05/05/2011 at 08:20 PM
Oh, Debbie, this is gorgeous!! I'm inspired to start drawing again. Will you frame this lovely?
Posted by: Lisa Dolson | 05/05/2011 at 09:23 PM
Holy Moly this is AMAZING!!!!!!! SO INSPIRING!!!!! Maybe it's time to put the stamps down and draw!! wowowowo
Will you be teaching at CHA. I reserved early just in case. Thanks for the constant inspiration. Fondly, Kathy Racoosin
Posted by: Kathy Racoosin | 05/05/2011 at 10:36 PM
AMAZING!!!!
Posted by: Teresa Brada | 05/05/2011 at 10:44 PM
Wow! Absolutely amazing!
Posted by: Kristii | 05/05/2011 at 10:44 PM
This is GORGEOUS Debbie! I love this new blog you started.
Posted by: KathyN | 05/05/2011 at 11:35 PM
You make me so excited to use my copics as an artistic medium, rather than just for crafting on my cards. I used to paint, and I haven't picked up a brush in years, due to my obsession with paper crafts taking over... but you have really inspired me to get back into other projects! I am just *so* glad you started this other blog to share these types of projects. I also really love how you described everyone's ability to draw.. I read a quote once, and it lives on the cover of one of my sketchbooks: "Art is the difference between truly seeing and simply identifying". You're right - you have to see past the "what" and look for the shapes. I can't wait to try a 'painting' with my pens!!
Posted by: Meredith | 05/06/2011 at 12:02 AM
I am just *so* glad you decided to start this other blog. You have really inspired me to get out my copics and use them for other projects, not just my crafts. I used to paint, but haven't picked up a brush in a few years, since papercrafting has taken over! I love how you described everyone's ability to draw... I have a favourite quote that lives on one of my sketchbooks; "Art is the difference between truly seeing and simply identifying". I can't wait to get starting on 'painting' with my copics!
Posted by: Meredith | 05/06/2011 at 12:05 AM
OMG, Debbie, this is just breathtaking, jaw-dropping and foot-stomping gorgeous art. I hated playing Pictionary because I was horrible at drawing anything. You make it look so easy ~ so inspiring for those of us not so talented. WTG!
Posted by: Kathy Mc | 05/06/2011 at 12:08 AM
thank you for directing us to this blog, Debbie! still trying to pick my jaw up from the flower. beautiful work of art!
Posted by: Alice W. | 05/06/2011 at 01:49 AM
O wow! This is amazing! You are so talented!
Posted by: Antoinette | 05/06/2011 at 02:14 AM
Wow, Debbie. You are phenomenal! Do I see a stamp set with this image in the future?
Posted by: SueB | 05/06/2011 at 04:58 AM
Wow!!! Love this new blog. I'm one of those people that think they can't draw, but really, really want to. Thanks for the encouragement. I look forward to following your blog and maybe trying to draw myself:))
Posted by: Detra Parks | 05/06/2011 at 07:27 AM
I want to be like you when I grow up :). This is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I love how you said a blue apple shaded well will still look like an apple. That is so true. You are a true artist. Your coloring never ceases to amaze me. Just gorgeous!! Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day!!
Posted by: Tracey Cuccia | 05/06/2011 at 07:32 AM
Wow, this artwork is amazing! Thank you for sharing and I will check back often for inspiration. :)
Deb Schweisthal
Posted by: Deb Schweisthal | 05/06/2011 at 08:32 AM
I am awed by your talent! This drawing/painting is fabulous!!
All my life I have tinkered around with drawing things (no training), with no great desires but just for the love of creating. I have purchased books, i.e. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain to try and teach myself and it did help. But I need the discipline to practice every day. Following your blog may do that for me, I hope :) But, even if it doesn't, I will love looking and learning from your new blog. You are such an awesome artist and teacher! Thank you for all that you share.
Posted by: Cindy H. | 05/06/2011 at 08:52 AM
You're killing me with your images. I have admired your coloured stamped images for a very long time. And now this ...
I wish I could use my pens colouring half as good as you. The drawing that you do ... I'm not in your leauge. TAHNK you for showing and sharing!!
GReetings from Sweden
Ulrika
Posted by: Ulrika | 05/06/2011 at 11:12 AM
WOW! That is stunning and amazing! I don't think I believe you about the hand muscles thing....;)
Posted by: danielle | 05/06/2011 at 12:02 PM
Um WHOA! That is some amazing stuff right there...send that sketch to PTI stat, Debbie! I think lots of people would be in line to buy your Calla Lillies! While your encouragement for us to try drawing is fabulous, I want to take the easy route and just stamp yours onto some paper, heeee! BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Kelly Schirmer | 05/06/2011 at 02:56 PM
WOW - I'm now a follower and had to say LOVE LOVE LOVE your work.
Posted by: Kate Palmer | 05/06/2011 at 06:15 PM