Monday, August 29, 2011

Hydrangea "Nikko Blue"

We have a hydrangea bush residing in the flower bed beside our front door. This year I happened to have the time to finally do a colored pencil drawing of a flower head in the opening stages of bloom -- my favorite stage. I love the pastel blue, yellow, green and cream the petals begin with before the darker blue comes on as the season progresses.


As always, I draw first from a live specimen. I've found that this flower survives very well in a vase of water in the refrigerator. It lasted for weeks which was a blessing since I hadn't finished before we had taken a 7-day vacation. The flower was almost as I had left it though the leaves had changed position and started to wilt. That is why it is so important for me to take many photos and color sketches at the start.


Today I picked up prints of this drawing from my printer. I'm so happy with the way they turned out. They will be available for sale at the Quailcrest Herb Fair where I will be setting up my booth on Saturday, Sept. 10, 10am-5pm. This is my first time as an exhibitor at this show but I have attended in the past and have always enjoyed myself taking in all the herbs, gardens, art and quality craft items.

6 comments:

  1. It's a lovely drawing and I really think you've outdone yourself. Hydrangeas are so hard to draw and paint. Every little flower has a different angle and the shadows are therefore always in a different place, no flower is alike. Also even more difficult perhaps is to keep in mind that the entire flowerhead also is like a ball and has it's one shape/shadow. Great leaves too. Wish I could come to that fair. Have a great time and hope you sell loads of prints ;)

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  2. Thank you, Sigrid. Your comments mean so much. :)

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  3. ...and I wish you could come too! It would be great to meet you one day.

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  4. Beautiful artwork Cheryl. I have such a soft spot for hydrangeas, each little floret a work of art in itself. Very complex but most rewarding. Well done on exhibiting your lovely works, sounds like a beautiful fair. From your tomorrow friend xxx

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