Fearless Friday, The Importance of Drawing
I recently read an article on Artists Network about how drawing regularly can enhance your painting, photography, just about anything you do creatively
Even if you are an accomplished artist, the act of drawing regularly will increase your skills to be able to see things differently…see new colors, tones and values…discover even more about light and shadow…learn how objects relate and influence each other…
Think of your drawing time as doodling, which takes the pressure off. You are playing, relaxing, not trying to create a masterpiece
One of my favorite ways to draw is to break down the subject into shapes, as previously demonstrated in Drawing by Shapes, and Seeing Double
The inspiration for today’s drawing came from this beautiful watercolor iris by David Drummond
Pick a start point and slowly draw what you see, either the outline or the shape
Check proportion and location as you go and continue to add/fill in the subject
One reason I like flowers so much is that they are forgiving, petals don’t have to be exactly right or perfectly placed
Don’t fret if it’s not perfect, add or adjust until it makes sense to your eye
Once the drawing was finished I chose the marker colors I wanted to use and made a small color chart on the edge of the paper. The markers are within reach, lined up by the sequence of the chart so I know exactly where to find each color I want
As you can see, I have an eclectic collection of brands!
I like to work from light to dark
so I began with the lightest tones
The arrows point to the slightly darker mid tones
which can be hard to recognize
Next I added a bright yellow and the dark red and browns
On a whim I used the bright yellow to make lines on some of the petals
indicating the iris signature texture
Next more brights with a bold orange
Pinks were added for more contrast and exaggeration
Lavender
And the final purple
“Bold and Beautiful” 7″ x 10″ ink & marker on mix media paper
Practice drawing by shape to enhance your skills, and exaggerate with bold colors to encourage your eyes to see things differently and really dissect the colors and tones
We automatically associate water with blue, but if you really look at water you will see it is a reflection of the many things around it, and might not be blue at all!
Below art more blooms I’ve done this way with their inspiration photos
These 2 are mine
This is mine {right} with inspiration photo {left}
Inspiration photo {left} mine {right}
Inspiration photos:
unknown artist
Pinterest and Daily Paintworks are great sources of art photos
I hope I’ve given you some ideas and inspiration today!
Be Fearless
🎨 🎨 🎨
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Dishing it & Digging it, Between Naps on the Porch,
Merry Monday Make it Pretty Monday Celebrate and Decorate,
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
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Morning, Jenna. I am of the notion to read emails as soon as I wake each morning & your blog is the first thing I read. You always inspire me to reach a little higher, step a little faster & be a bit more fearless. Thank you for always reminding me to live life to the fullest & be all that I can be. Thank you, my friend!
You always inspire Jenna! Thank you for FF! Have a great weekend.
Johanne
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Happy Friday at the beach! I love your iris, it is lovely. You always inspire, Jenna!
Jenna, you are such a talented artist and inspiration! Your creations are always gorgeous! I am going to show this to my daughter. She loves to paint and the Iris would be a perfect project for her. Enjoy your weekend!
thank you so much Shannon, I am so glad your daughter loves to paint…I love to look at other artist’s creations and styles~
Jenna, your Iris is lovely. I always enjoy your FF and I love step by step instructions for your paintings and drawings. Have a wonderful weekend……..
thanks Emily, we are enjoying nice weather!
You offer a really good reminder — do it daily. I’m more lax in the winter months or at home. And really, there’s no excuse, even if you’re just sitting in a chair with the telly. At the lake I paint every day and I can see my work improve exponentially. You have motivated me. (Although I will say I have painted every day this week! But now I need to make that the habit again.)
Love the good tips. And you’re right. THink of it as a doodle and maybe it will turn out half so good as yours!
I rarely do it daily Jeanie, but if you can do it regularly you can tell a difference as you said…what a good art week you’ve had!
so beautiful!!! I love David’s iris as well!
Yes, he had done some stunning watercolors
Wow. You’re so very talented.
thank you Mimi!
You are so talented! I love the colors you used!
thanks Michelle, I love to play with markers
Beautiful inspiration Jenna!
thank you Sharon 🙂
Hi Jenna, I like your use of color! WOWZA! 🙌 Your flowers are ALL fabulous! And good reminder to draw daily. I do think it helps improve our ability to really “see” our subjects. 🎨👍
I must admit I do not draw daily, but I try to! I do love color, thanks Jill!
Great inspiration, Jenna!!Beautiful flowers!! 🌸💚🌺
Love the bright gorgeous colors.
thanks Patty Anne, I always get carried away with color 🙂
Jenna, you are so creative and draw/paint so beautifully! I love the detail and colors! Hugs!
thank you Benita!
You amaze me dear friend! Your Iris came out beautifully along with your other flowers!
Enjoy the beach!
thank you, it’s a fun technique!
I always enjoy seeing your creative process Jenna! ♥
Beautiful reminder and process. Thank you for sharing so much of your process with those of us still struggling to draw.
thank you Hope, my pleasure!