A succulent hairdo

Balcony plants, one by one emerge rondomly on the page. Then for some reason, a person of sorts comes beneath a succulent – kind of can see why.

Think I might re-do this one some time, as the composition is bit…not sure…something not quite right.

Scene on my balcony (5)

There’s something quiet and meditative about doing repeat patterns: dash, dash, dash; oval, oval, oval; triangle, triangle, triangle. For this one, I started with the shapes of the pots and bench, then patterns before filling with inky plants.

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress sometimes displays advertisements on this blog in return for providing a free service.

Scene on my balcony (4)

Kind of enjoyed the process for this one which was to:

1. Sit on milk crate with coffee. ‘Pfaff’ a bit deciding what to draw.
2. Settle monkey mind down. Do a quick ‘blind’ sketch.
3. On a fresh page, do a coloured watercolour wash.
4. Let it dry then sit the book under a pile of books to flatten it out.
5. Go to work.
6. Next day, pull out book. Draw with an ink pen.
7. Use brush and water for inky washes. Really like this bit.

Mmm…I think I’ll try this again.

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress sometimes displays advertisements on this blog in return for providing a free service.

Balcony abundance

On seeing my balcony I often get the comment, ‘wow, you have a jungle out there!’ I prefer the word ‘abundance’ better still, would be the description ‘a rich landscape – inner and outer’. Overly embellished? Oh well.

Materials? White pen + gouche on black – nice change!

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress.com sometimes displays advertisements on this blog to help pay their bills.

Scene on my balcony (2)

I’d like to introduce to you three new residents on my balcony I bought from a home gardener via a local market on Saturday. The first, I can’t find its’ name in Google anywhere. The second is called ‘Bears Ears’ (cactus) and the third, I think is called ‘Elkhorn’ (cactus). They’re very eccentric aren’t they?

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress.com sometimes displays advertisements on this blog to help pay their bills.

Scene on my balcony (1)

I never tire of looking at the plants on my balcony. Five to fifteen minutes drawing the myriad of shapes and admiring the eccentricities of each plant, the play of light and new growth is somehow a gentle way to the start of a day. I know…it’s an ordinary life I lead but when I take the time to look, there is much that is actually extraordinary.

I hope you find something little and simple but extraordinary to admire in your world!

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress.com sometimes displays advertisements on this blog to help pay their bills.

A lovely little cutting

Bumped into my neighbour after coming back from swimming. She showed me her garden – lots of succulents. Couldn’t help myself…’…ooh, I love that…and that!’ Needless to say, I returned back with some cuttings!

This was one of them. Scale? They’re really small, less than the size of your palm. And when you get a whole pot of them, it looks like a mass of sculptured little flowers.

Quite prefer the 5 minute fluro pen with texta attempt as it tries less to describe but just gives a basic impression of what it is. It’s a ‘blind drawing’ exercise meaning you look only at the object without looking down on the paper (well, minimally anyway!).

This exercise makes you look more. It’s good. Try it!

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress.com sometimes displays advertisements on this blog to help pay their bills.

Balcony talk

This time last year, I tried Vipassana Meditation. This time…spending time a bit of time on my balcony.

Mmmm…think I prefer the pencil sketch. What do you think? Still working out how to do colour. Oh well, move on.

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress.com sometimes displays advertisements on this blog to help pay their bills.

Succulents

Jade plant, flap jack (prefer the name desert cabbage – isnt’ that a wonderful name?!) and stick plant anjoying the warmth today! Materials? Watercolour and PicJointer app (collage app).

Wishing you a lovely and creative start to 2014!

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress.com sometimes displays advertisements on this blog to help pay their bills.

The living shelf

A bit messy but gives you an idea of where I’ve been this morning!

In recent months, cactii and succulents have caught my imagination with their unusal structural shapes. I have a few but not arranged like this cactus shelf…to complete the picture a haveli type sofabed is needed, don’t you think? Have a lovely day!

Materials? Gouache + Preppy fountain pen Inspiration sources? Cactus shelf and Indian inspired sofa

Note: Drawing Connections blog does not endorse any ads displayed. WordPress.com sometimes displays advertisements on this blog to help pay their bills.