Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Illustration Friday: Safari

 PROTEA Leucadendron, "Safari Sunset"

If you follow my blog, you know that when I see the topic on Illustration Friday each week, my first thoughts are often botanical ones.  When the word "safari" popped up for this week, I was stumped.  (Well, I did immediately think about Penelope Neal and her amazing images of African wildlife. If you're not familiar with all of her work, you owe yourself a visit to her website.)  Then, I considered animal crackers (lions, rhinos) but after a couple of  failed attempts, I ate the darn things and decided to leave cracker drawings to the wonderful Paula Pertile, and explore plants a bit more. After exhaustive research (thirty seconds on Google), I found this African plant in the protea family called...wait for it: "Safari Sunset"!

While I was out getting my caffeine fix today, I stopped in at my neighborhood flower shop. (I've been wanting to draw some protea for a while, but I usually see those big ones that have sort of fuzzy pink outer petals.)  Believe it or not, this shop had the "Safari Sunset" protea, as well as the fuzzy "Pink Ice" variety.  Such a bargain—for four dollars I brought home both, and since the shop owner said that they last quite a while, I may be drawing the other one soon...after I finish my box of animal crackers.
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33 comments:

  1. Melissa MackieMay 17, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    Its amazing that you stumbled upon the Protea, Safari sunset! Gorgeous illo.

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  2. dosankodebbieMay 17, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Awesome, awesome, awesome. But you would have done GREAT animal crackers too! :D

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  3. Elizabeth Rose StantonMay 17, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Looks like those Animal Crackers gave you the POWER! Beautiful "Safari Sunset," and expertly done--as usual!

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  4. AnonymousMay 17, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    this is absolutely stunning! i do love proteas and your detailed artwork :-)

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  5. Gillian MowbrayMay 18, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    Delightful - and so delicate. Why not a plant safari after all - like the Victorian plant hunters in their hayday. x

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  6. MomoMay 18, 2011 at 3:31 AM

    Wow, this is so beautiful.

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  7. LuTiMay 18, 2011 at 4:13 AM

    Nice! I like it you choose this plant for the topic of the week !

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  8. JulesMay 18, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    Beautiful work and love the animal crackers story!

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  9. AlisonMay 18, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    This is beautiful. I love the subtle and delicate color changes.

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  10. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    Beautiful, Sarah! You have such a wonderful eye and terrific sense of color. Great idea about using animal crackers, just sorry not to have seen the results!

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  11. Amanda DilworthMay 18, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    The colours in this are amazing, beautiful illustration:)

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  12. Nancy GrönholmMay 18, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    what a beautiful illustration (love the story behind it!), the colours are so rich and give wonderful perspective. Just lovely :)

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  13. Sarah MellingMay 18, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Thanks, everyone. It made me happy to see that there are a couple of nice animal cracker pieces this by others this week! And I love Gillian's comment about the Victorian plant hunters.

    I forgot to mention that, after I started drawing this, I realized I was using the "wrong" side of the paper (Strathmore 300 Bristol, vellum finish).

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  14. UnknownMay 18, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Beatiful cool pencil tecnique.

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  15. PenelopeMay 18, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Perfect! As always, perfect. And oh, it's always a challenge to do something different and not the first thing that comes to mind or predictable...you win!! This drawing is wonderful. And as always, you rock—thank you for the plug and nice comment on my blog.

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  16. TimareeMay 18, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Very pretty! Enjoyed the post and the picture.

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  17. CatilustreMay 19, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    wonderful! Your plants studies are so sensitive and beautiful!

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  18. KristaMay 19, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Gorgeous! I love how IF fits any personality!

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  19. Vilt og vakkertMay 19, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Hheisann!
    This must be the safari colors, beautiful combination of harmonies ;:OD)

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  20. Brine BlankMay 19, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Great color on this...gives it an interesting 'lighting effect'...

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  21. EmilyMay 19, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Colour yum!
    All wild and fresh.

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  22. Sarah's ImaginationMay 19, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Wow. Stunningly beautiful! I love those colors! :)

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  23. Paula PertileMay 19, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    This is beautiful.
    And I think you SHOULD do animal crackers. Why didn't I think of that?

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  24. KarenaMay 19, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Sarah a stunning rendering. I love all plant/ botanical paintings!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Come and enter my New Giveaway from Serena & Lily! You will love it!

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  25. Mindful DrawingMay 20, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    Very beautiful!
    I dreaded the subject Safari too, but did find my way out with a Butterfly Safari.
    We have to stay true to ourselves as well as appreciate to be put slightly out of our comfort zones to explore new horizons.
    Paula

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  26. Bella SinclairMay 20, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    Oh my goodness, this is gorgeous! It has great dimensionality to it, and the colors are fabulous! Safari Sunset. Who knew!

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  27. Kristin G JacksonMay 20, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Beautiful. I probably always use this adjective when I comment, but it's the truth. And lucky for me that you did not use animal crackers ; )

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  28. Susan CharlotteMay 25, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    A very beautiful drawing. Love the colour palette. I appreciate the links you include in your posts

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  29. MILLYMay 27, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Your drawing is beautifully painted. It really shows when you use the real object, the details and colours. Thank you for your lovely comments, glad to hear you are enjoying my blog. Millyx

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  30. Ana M.F.May 27, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    I love how the leaves change colours ♥

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  31. Malka Michaela BarshishatMay 29, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Hi Sarah.
    This plant is just such a pleasure to look at! The colors are so vivid and blend together brilliantly. How could one compete with G-d's paintbrush?!-only you with your pencils!
    What a coincidence with the topic and plant name. I am tempted to go and find one Safari Sunset plant of my own.
    Glad to have stopped by again. You never disappoint me!

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  32. davidJuly 18, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    This is gorgeous! Very life-like color and light, yet with a richness and texture that no photo could offer. Well-done!

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  33. canvas artSeptember 27, 2011 at 1:46 AM

    Your drawings are so life like and colourful, really looking for to seeing more of your work.

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