Saturday, September 27, 2008

Graphite Peony Drawing - September VSD

Peony in vase
3" x 3.5" graphite in Moleskine
Stacy L. Rowan

Here is my submission for the September Virtual Sketch Date.

I knew I didn't have much time this week to work on my drawing so I decided to use my Moleskine sketchbook. That was a good decision. Since I was using the sketchbook, I decided to use graphite. That was not so good a decision.

Since the tones in the petals were subtle, I felt I had to lay in the dark background first to give me something to judge the lighter tones against. By the time I had layered on the darks in the background and the vase, my time and patience were running out. So I rushed the petals. As a result, this is not my favorite VSD entry - not bad, just not my favorite.

Of course, I wasn't loving last month's entry at this time either, and my cabbage definitely grew on me. I like it a lot better now. Maybe the lesson here is that I should refrain from passing judgement on my work until some time has passed.

Please visit the Virtual Sketch Date blog tomorrow and use the links to look at the other entries.

Note: I drew the whole entry and cropped the image after for posting here.

30 comments:

Melissa Muirhead said...

That's really lovely in the graphite and I really love your crop. I'm so enjoying seeing all the different versions being loaded

Rose Welty said...

Stacy,

I really like the crop - it puts all the more attention on the beautiful shapes of those petals...the graphite is effective too.

I know what you mean, often when I go back through the "bad" pile I think things are not as bad as I thought.

Grangry said...

Nice sketch, I like the composition too. I find if I leave a piece I'm not happy with to 'settle' for a couple of days, I can usually go back and spot what is wrong with it. Sometimes it seems to have put itself right!

Jennifer Rose said...

great crop :D The petals don't look rushed, they look soft and light.

Kari Gibson said...

Actually, I feel it works very well, the danger is that one overworks the delicate petals and they become heavy, which you have cleverly avoided.

Often we get too close to our work which makes us too critical. Maybe a rest away from it for a while and you will like it as much as us outside observers do!

Rhonda Bartoe Tucker said...

Oh, we artists can be way too critical of our own work. Your drawing is lovely. Using graphite made this drawing have such a soft, subtle feel. Evokes such a peaceful mood.

Jeanette Jobson said...

I like this piece Stacy. There is a delicacy to the petals and I love the subtle shading in the water of the vase. Lovely.

Valerie Jones said...

I like this Stacy! It has a softness about it that make me want to reach out and touch the petals. Great work on the vase too!

Jo Castillo said...

Stacy, this is very nice. Nice shadows and softness.

Regina Calton Burchett said...

Really nicely done and I especially like how you composed your drawing! I felt rushed too, as I didn't get to start mine until tonight. But you did a great job!

joanieART said...

nice crop, great overall piece. and tiny! love it when folks remember to write the dimensions....changes how I see things. really beautiful.

Unknown said...

Hello Stacy,
I like the crop and the lignes you chose to use. The overall effect works well. Also love the graphite (nothing to do with having a soft spot for this particular medium!):)

Cathy Gatland said...

The graphite works beautifully - good idea to do the dark background first to judge lighter tones...I did it the other way round and the soft tones and shading in the petals were rather punched out by the darks. I think this will grow on you too - it's lovely!

Sylvia Jenstad said...

I agree... what a beauiful compositon... background... shapes... really cool

Regina Calton Burchett said...

Oh, and I meant to tell you - I love the name of your blog!

Ann said...

This has such a lovely soft feel. I like the crop too.

Kathleen said...

I think the graphite worked very well I love the subtle texture and the petals are soft & expressive -

Andy said...

Hi Stacy, this makes me wish I'd tried a graphite version too, it looks really good and you've nailed that pesky vase. Nice work.

Anonymous said...

Stacy,
Thank you for posting allllll those links!
I have been drinking my Sunday coffee and perusing through them all.
The Virtual Sketch Date is getting popular!
Very nice sketch.
Hope your kiddo is 'cast free' by this time.

susan said...

Stacy, Your drawing is beautiful. You did a great job with values using graphite. Graphite is so much fun to use...just have a hard time not smearing! I almost have from hand to elbow when done! It was interesting reading your explanation beneath the submission! Great job. Anxious to see what VSD brings next month!

Sharon said...

Very soft and delicate!

BARBARA WEEKS said...

I love the way you cropped it. The reflections and the glass vase are spectacular.

Gail Bartel said...

I always have to wait at least a day before a painting grows on me, love your drawing by the way. I was sure I was going to see a watercolor from you but this is a pleasant surprise.

Anonymous said...

A very sweet drawing, Stacy. I like your crop.

Dianne Mize said...

Lovely work, Stacy. And strong composition, too.

Marion said...

Very nice. Graphite gies such a soft felling to a painting.

Paulette said...

The petals look soft to the touch!
Well done!

Vivienne said...

I love your drawing, Stacy. The spherical vase and water are especially fine, and the delicate edge of the petals against that dark background. It's super.

M J Muir said...

I love your work Stacy.
I like the way you placed the glass container off the page. I would have gone crazy trying to draw that perfect circle.
Keep it up and thanks for inviting me to try the virtual sketch challenge this past week. Maybe I will make it in October?
Blue

Quilt knit said...

Stacy, I always love your Graphite. You inspire me to work harder. Thank-you,

Sherrie Roberts