Dogwood Branch

 

magnolia branch and dogwood branch page from my sketchbook

I love spring, don't you!  Early in February, the pink saucer magnolias bloom here in Central Alabama, followed by Bradford pears.  Dogwoods emerge around Easter.  How do they know?  When dogwoods bloom, summer is just around the corner.  I love dogwoods, and there is a sweet legend associated with them.

Supposedly, the mighty dogwood was revered during Christ's time.  Its wood was stronger than the mighty oak, and it was used to make the cross to crucify Jesus.  God transformed the tree from large to a smaller tree with twisted trunks and limbs.  With its lack of strength, the dogwood would never be used to crucify anyone ever again.  

Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb, and three days later, he rose from the dead. Suddenly, dogwoods burst into bloom, and they continue to do so right around Easter in what is believed to be a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.  Each year, like clockwork, they bloom around Easter.

Dogwood blossoms are special because they are cross-shaped. The four large petals represent the cross he died upon, and each petal displays four red-tinged notches that are said to represent four nail holes and the blood he shed. The flower's center looks like a crown and is symbolic of Jesus’ crown of thorns.

The legend actually originated during the 20th Century in America, and the dogwood is not native to the Middle East.  But still blooming dogwoods are still sweet reminders of Christ's sacrifice and love for us.

Do you have a favorite spring flower or flowering tree?  Please share in the comments section below and maybe I'll try to draw it!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

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Magnolia Branch

 

I love magnolias.  I guess it's because they are so popular here in the Deep South.  We have a couple on our property, and they make a mess.  But the pretty blossoms and unique bi-colored leaves make them worth the time spent cleaning-up after them.  I have been enjoying the book Botanical Art Techniques, and the lessons in it have been very helpful and fun.  One of them is a tutorial on how to draw a magnolia branch, and I was drawn to the texture of the branch.  Like my Granny Smith apple, I practiced in graphite first before drawing it in my Silverpoint art journal.

I've been thinking about drawing state flowers:  I thought that might give me a little direction!  I know of at least two states that has the magnolia as their official flower, so I will probably draw the magnolia blossom in the near future.

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

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Granny Smith Apple

 

It has been about a month since I've drawn anything in silverpoint because I've been painting.  I don't want to go that long without drawing again because I love it, and I missed it!  I recently bought a wonderful book entitled Botanic Art Techniques, and it is quite the comprehensive guide.  I am truly enjoying the book, and it is a work of art itself.  Most of the artists are very detailed in their step-by-step instructions for drawing plants and flowers.

The guide includes techniques in watercolor, graphite, colored pencil, vellum, pen and ink, egg tempura, oils, printmaking, and more.  And yes, it does include silverpoint, but I haven't gotten to that section yet.  I have been reading the graphite section, and I decided to practice drawing a few things in graphite.  I also drew a couple of things in my silverpoint art journal, including the Granny Smith apple, above.

Apples are hard to draw.  There are so many planes, and it's important to have the proper lighting (a point the apple drawing lesson highlighted).  

I probably need to spend a weekend on practicing apples and other fruit, like pears.  I think pears are much easier to draw than apples!

Are you have a fun weekend?  Are you making any art?

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

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Sleigh Bells

 

It has been cold here lately in Central Alabama: we've even had a few snow flurries.  I've been reminded of the coldest I've ever been in my life: a nocturnal sleigh ride to a "cowboy cookout" in Breckenridge, Colorado many years ago.  The name of the dinner and ride was called 2 Below Zero; that should've been a warning that I was going to freeze my butt off.  

I remember it as if it were yesterday:  We dressed warmly and boarded the one horse open sleigh that held about 4-6 people.  On board there were two skins for warmth that covered maybe two people.  There was a lot of pulling and tugging on them, if I recall!  We took the sleigh up the mountain where we were anticipating a delicious cowboy steak cookout.  Everyone in our party skipped lunch because we knew we would be fed well on the mountain.  During the ascent, we were offered champagne.  Did I mention we were freezing?  The champagne was politely declined.  As beautiful as the scenery was, the light breeze made the wind chill almost unbearable, and it seemed to take forever to reach our destination: a mess tent where dinner would be cooked and served.  Fortunately for our frozen selves there were warm cast iron stoves inside.  Toasty!

I can remember that the dinner was excellent: Everyone in our party enjoyed it. Having been warmed by the stoves, delicious food, and hot cocoa, the descent was faster and more bearable.  I would do it again, only wear more layers!  The ride up and down the mountain truly was beautiful and fun; I can remember the sound of the sleigh bells, too.  I found these sleigh bells on the internet and drew them in honor of cold weather fun.  

I'm still enjoying my silverpoint sketchbook.

You can read about it HERE.

Can you remember the coldest you've ever been in your life?  Please share it with us in the comments section below.

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

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Baubles and Bells

 

Pre-primed silverpoint paper is expensive.  I wish I could afford to draw on my favorite paper everyday, but I can't.  Imagine my surprise and excitement when I found a silverpoint drawing journal/sketchbook on Etsy: I was thrilled!  The name of the Etsy store is Pulp4Papers.  I am so pleased with my journal.  Here are the qualities I love most about it:

1.  The paper quality is very good, and there is a little bit of tooth to it.

2.  The handmade cover is so pretty and sturdy: it will hold up well in a bag or backpack.

3.  The journal opens-up flat.  This is a feature I always want in a sketchbook or journal.

I have no complaints about it at all, and I highly recommend the books if you are interested in practicing silverpoint drawing.  

I found shiny objects in the studio including satin ribbon, craft bells, and Christmas ornaments.

I love how portable silverpoint is because we like to go back and forth to the lake.  Now all I have to take are my stylus and sketchbook.  Before, I was worried about my loose paper getting bent or creased. I will probably use the sketchbook for practice and then use my drawing paper once I find interesting subjects I've practiced in the sketchbook first.

Christmas was a sad time for us this year as we were not allowed to attend church and celebrate the birth of our Savior.  I probably should've created more art because it would've made me feel better about the isolation from my church family and lack of Christmas activities with friends.  This is the first page in my sketchbook, and it was nice to see 2020 end.  I have no way of knowing what 2021 will bring: things could get worse.  But I'm hopeful!  I refuse to give-up on the things important to me and my family.

What are your hopes for 2021?

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

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Orchid #3

 

Hello!  I wanted to write a quick post today and share Orchid #3.

I promise this is the last orchid I'll be sharing for a while.  I almost didn't share this one because I drew this from a photo that was micro focused on the top petals, which left the lower petals unfocused.  That was a challenge to me, and I don't think I pulled it off very well.

I still haven't found a Silverpoint Drawing Challenge List online, so I guess I will have to make one for myself.  More later!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

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Oddly Shaped Daisy

 

I found this pretty daisy at the grocery store, and I thought it would be a fun thing to draw.  I didn't realize it had more of a squarish shape rather than round.  But still, it was a fun subject, and I loved drawing the petals.

I must have had my oldest daughter on the brain when I chose this daisy.  It's her favorite flower: She loves all varieties of them!  She always says that she loves daisies because they are the most cheerful of all the flowers.  I think she heard that line in a movie.  I think maybe Meg Ryan said that line in You've Got Mail.  That would make total sense because my daughter is a bibliophile, and Meg Ryan's character in that movie owned a children's bookstore.  Daisies melt my daughter's heart.  I like them, too, but I haven't met many flowers I didn't like.  I love painting them, too, especially peonies.  Maybe I should try to draw a peony in silverpoint next.

Do you have any New Year's resolutions?  If so, have you broken any of them yet?  I don't ever make them, but I do try to make a small goal or two monthly.  My goal for January 2021:  Participate in Yoga with Adriene's Thirty Day Yoga Challenge: Breath.  This year's challenge focuses on breath, and I think it is a super series.  I am determined not to skip a day.  That's it!  That's my January 2021 goal.  I'm off to a good start, and I love Adriene and her videos.  

Do you have a favorite flower?  If you tell me in the comments section below, maybe I'll try to draw it!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

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