Tuesday, August 17, 2010

EDM 286 - Something colorful

These colorful begonias are in riotous bloom on my deck right now.  The flowers are quite showy, but its the leaves that I think are the real beauties.  The spiral shape, the luxurious ruffles, and even the soft fuzziness are really beautiful.  They were born to be sketched.
As I was preparing to draw, a small bumblebee landed on the table.  It crawled along the edge of the table and then suddenly stopped as if it were too exhausted to go on.  I grabbed the pencil and quickly sketched it, noting the placement of the stripes of fur, the shape of the legs, the curve of the thorax.  It stayed for about 20 minutes, long enough to study it well and add some color.  I added it to the sketch of begonias.  See it there on the darker leaf on the left?  It was a tiny little bee, maybe just hatched or popped or however bees become bees.
I'm always in awe when I get the opportunity to see a bit of nature up close like this.  Bees are always in motion so it's rare to see one so close and still that I could make out the soft down and the brilliant colors.
Watercolor in Moleskine wc book.
Here's the bee sketch if you're interested.  It's done using watercolor pencils.  I made notes, too.

10 comments:

Alex said...

I really love the colors, they are gorgeous and that little bee is so cute!
Thanks for your comment, and yeah we all need a phone that can survive the washing machine torture =) By the way, that phone weighs 4.07ounces

echogo said...

Beautiful Begonias. My favorite flowers that are just for show. No scent just good looks. On Canada Day I was in Banff on a cool cloudy Alberta day. The begonias in the Park Office gardens were spectacular.They love hanging out in the shade. Of course I also love the bee!

Sandra said...

This is one of my favorite pieces that you have done!

Shirley said...

Beautiful painting - the flowers and the leaves and especially capturing the bumblebee.

Ann said...

Beautiful begonias! And a cute little bee too.

Cathy Holtom said...

I agree with Sandra, one of your best..the little bee makes it special!

Stephanie said...

Wow~ Love your colors, the flowers are so showy and full of life! I really like the little bee too.

Lucia B. said...

I like the begonias - and also the nice little bee!

Unknown said...

LOL...when there are bees around, I'm the one who is not still! Wonderful drawing!

Anonymous said...

your begonia is fantastic, and the description you wrote also. This is good, text and illustration!
Love the bee also.