Dogwood Branch

 magnolia branch and dogwood branch page from my sketchbookI 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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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