An evocation of roses

Phones and Roses

People with cell phones have become an urban sketching trope; they pose quietly, for long periods of time, everywhere you go.
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I attempted to sketch these roses directly in watercolor, and added a little pastel pencil later. I remember trying to sketch a similar rosebush in front of Anna’s Greek Cuisine a few years ago. Small, intricate blossoms are difficult to depict, with a water brush.

Play time

Amigos, again

The other day, I drew the dried foliage in a large window vase, and used Dr. Ph. Martin's Radiant Concentrated Watercolor to finish the sketch, at home.

I have been fascinated by Dr. Ph. Martin's since I first saw Danny Gregory use them.  The color is intense, and they mix differently than pan and tube watercolors. I am surprised at the range of hues I get from the three bottles I have: Lemon Yellow, Scarlet, and True Blue. My goal here was to see if I could move the colors toward neutral without losing them.

Color in this medium is fugitive, so work needs to be scanned quickly or kept in a sketchbook, away from long exposure to light.

Holy Wednesday (facing East)

Breaking bread with a friend

Sweet autumn clematis

The sweet autumn clematis is blooming with wild abandon once more--as it has every fall, without fail, at both our houses.

The aging grill, huddled beneath its cover, looks like a little black ghost, awaiting Halloween.

This was my first try at using masking fluid. The contents of my three-year- old jar have taken on the consistency of marshmallow crème, so it went on in clumps. I used a small, inexpensive craft brush to apply it. Waiting through the drying time does add a significant amount of time to the sketching process, as I expected.

Drive-thru

During busy lunch hours, Chick-Fil-A demonstrates amazingly efficient coordination of staff, along its drive-thru queue. The first takes orders; the second gives receipts as you round the corner of the building; the third delivers drinks and small orders from the open window, back along the waiting line of vehicles. A driver with a large order doesn't slow the flow. (A flagpole goes up the middle of the sketch.)

Flowers on front porch

This summer we have amaryllis, purple cosmos, pink verbena, pink geraniums, and yellow kalanchoe in pots out on the porch. A few inches of lantana leaves survive; a small animal nibbled away the petunias. It doesn't look like the gladioli, free nursery leftovers planted late, will bloom. Pink roses and golden stella d'oro are blooming in the front flower bed.

Poinsettia

Amaryllis

Our amaryllis, purchased after Christmas in 2014, usually blooms late. This month, it showed up early, a welcome promise of resurrection, during a turbulent election season. In winter, it's a lone star; in autumn, it happily bows to the glow of the foliage beyond the window.

I used a little watercolor pencil over watercolor, in a few places. I hatched a little dry watercolor pencil behind the flower pot. I may do some more shading on the leaves.

Pansies, Strader's garden center

Trying out Cheap Joe's American Journey top ten sampler.

(There is not much paint in the sampler dots. It's probably better to use the money toward a tube.)

Rose Bush

Quick impression of light on rosebush, in a flower pot, at the entrance to Anna's Greek Cuisine. ( I am at sea without the anchor of an ink line.) Avgolemono soup highly recommended for those who are ill. I need to find an authentic recipe.

Breakfast for lunch

Trying a new breakfast place, Scrambler Marie's. Friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere, good food. A little pricey.

Table marker, geraniums in patio flower basket

Chick-Fil-A.

First page in small Pentalic Nature Sketch book. The paper is heavy and creamier in color than that in the Stillman & Birn Beta.

(Purchased with coupon over a year ago; trying to use supplies I have.)

Last year's geranium

Survivor, a little spindly from a combination of heat and benign neglect (underwatering).

Sunny Street Cafe

Need to practice ellipses.

Zephirine Drouhin on windowsill

 Spring flower pots

It's always fun to sketch those outdoor flower displays.  Some pigments get few other opportunities to shine. This place is worth returning to, for  chance to improve the perspective and soften the windows.

Pot of flowers

Thank you, staff at Chick-Fil-A, for a bright spot in the day.

Bloom, year two

Bouquet

Poinsettia in winter

Chick-fil-A. (How long have I been doing this, and still can't remember to leave white for the reflections? So it goes.)