Sketch of a Rose 2

Actually, these were my attempts at adding colour to the rose. This is where I fell...

Attempt #1: in watercolour. 
The result had a heavier feel than I was going for. 
It was 'messy' and the colours came out very neon.  

Attempt #2: in coloured pencil.  
The result was somewhat flat and had a constructivist, or 
overly geometric, look. Not at all the flowy feeling I wanted. 

Attempt #3: in watercolour again.
I exercised far more patience with this one.  
That made a tremendous difference.  Also, I used 
a shorter palette and achieved contrast by layering.
This experience with watercolours was more 
satisfying, but I still wasn't happy with the result. *laugh*

If you were wondering about the pencil markings in the lower right corner of the images, those are the beginnings of a second rose that was meant to complete the picture. It is just as naked (read: unpainted) now as it was there. I wanted it to be white. While I can hazard a guess as to how one might paint a white rose in watercolour, I am  quite confident that I lack the confidence and, for the moment, ability to do so. I'd like to think: as long as my interest in the medium persists–and it does!–there is hope. PS There is nothing as hilariously ridiculous, frustratingly tedious and ridiculously frustrating, all at the same time!, as formatting on the internet.

Sketch of a Rose

I took on a little painting project recently (that has since failed). The project was to paint a pair of roses for a wedding card. It turns out that it was a bigger project than I had realised. Even so, once again I am very much in love with the idea of painting! 

This pencil sketch of a rose was the first step of my project. The process of drawing it was so surprisingly smooth that I thought, "How hard could it be to do it in colour?" The answer is: "Very!"

I have photographed it and 'cleaned it up' 

by erasing the surrounding smudgy areas 

on the computer.

I hope it is as nice as I think it is. There are times when I have been happy with a drawing only to look upon it later on in a new light, an unflattering and disappointing new light. 


I will post my attempts at painting it in watercolour over the next few days. *fingers crossed*

New Header

Finally! 
I've got a new header up on my lil blog. That's my little penguin with her crown—she falls somewhere between an emperor penguin and a 'lady' penguin, or rather, she's a Lady Penguin complete with airs and all. hehe
I am not entirely sure of the colours, but it is colourful and I am happy with it for now. :) However, those are not all the changes I had in mind! Tweaking the templates is proving to be a teensy bit tricky. Not to worry, I will prevail! *declares falteringly*