Friday 4 January 2013

Sketchbook page - daffodils


 
                                     Daffodil sketchbook page A4 ©2013Lisa Le Quelenec                                      


I know that I am jumping the gun a bit as it will be a while until spring but I couldn't resist! His Nibbs added a surprise to my studio - a beautiful bunch of early daffodils.  They are my favourite, a splash of cheerful yellow to brighten up the grey of winter. A reminder of the warmer, brighter months to come.

Out came my daffodil project book which I didn't think I would be using so early in the year. Every year I add to the sketches and studies, a project that came about because I had a problem with painting yellow. Bit by bit I overcame the issue as I learnt to utilise the other colours in the palette to emphasize the yellow-ness of the blooms. To see a couple of pages from last years daffodil studies click here.

It is fitting to be using this sketchbook to develop the experimental theme I'm exploring this month. I've used fibre tipped pens, inktense, derwent watersoluble graphite and watercolour on this page after thoroughly dampening the paper before starting to draw. (except where the fibre tipped pen is, for that one I wet the paper after with a brush)

I really like the softened line that the watersoluble pencils give on damp paper, it makes me think of linear monoprints. Maybe I should 'play' with that technique next?

 

6 comments:

Judy said...

I remember last years daffodils, and now these: they are all fabulous sketches!

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

Thank you Judy! It's really brightened up my desk and given me a little sunshine to work in. Your crocus painting is divine btw.

Bruce Sherman said...

Good Morning Lisa!... What a wonderful sunny and warm surprise to discover the daffodils on your site!

Being absolutely buried in whiteness...more down overnight... "daffies" give Hope... even the darkest dark of winter!

Your husband obviously cherishes and supports the prize and blessing in his life! Thank you for sharing... and passing on his loving gift... in your own exquisite way!

I love your floral works Lisa with their strong line... coming out of obvious careful study... and just enough colour as to not lose the wonder of those beautiful black lines!

Happy New Year... to "You",... and "his Nibbs!

Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce

eM said...

I enjoy very much this early reminder of spring!! I like this sketchbook drawings - it´s very inspiring.

RH Carpenter said...

I was surprised to see such a spring flower on your post today - and yet, it made me smile! May we all have such sunny yellow daffodils during the grey days of winter, even if it's only in our sketchbooks. I admire how you work and learn and expand your knowledge of colors :)

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

Hi Bruce, thank you. I'm glad the daffies brought you some sunshine. It's interesting for me to look back through the years of daffodil studies in this sketchbook seeing how far I have improved and how far I still have to go. It's like aa annual date on the calander now for me.

I'll be looking forward to your new snowy paintings, they are always a treat for the eye.

Good morning Marcela and welcome. Thank you so much for your kind comments. I was thinking about your latest still life yesterday, the memory of it has stayed with me it was such a striking painting.

Hi Rhonda, thank you. It is a bit early for daffodils isn't it? The bulbs in my garden are starting to poke through but I think the flowers will be a few weeks off yet. I'm glad the post brightened your day.