Last summer, we enjoyed a bountiful yield from our vegetable garden.
I fell in love with these beautiful "Royal Burgundy" beans, a variety from Botanical Interests—I adore the artwork on their seed packets! The deep purple beans turn back to green when they're cooked, but they're gorgeous raw, and so much easier to see on the bushes than green ones. (I posted this when I drew it in July, but since it wasn't for Illustration Friday, I thought I'd share it again.)
I actually started out with another drawing for this topic (some lovely oranges from a friend's tree), but am not thrilled with the result:
I used a textured, toned paper, which is usually a fun change for me, but I soon realized that the grey-green paper wasn't a great choice for rendering oranges. You can't layer colored pencil very heavily on this type of paper, so you have to achieve the colors you want with one or two passes instead of the many that I sometimes use. I think that they turned out looking more like peaches than oranges! I did play around a bit with the background, which I tend to leave untouched—something that's good for me to explore, I think. The textured paper does help to create an interesting backdrop. Who knows, maybe I'll try the oranges again on my good ol' white Strathmore Bristol.
Meanwhile, here in Northern California, it's about time to plant seeds for this summer's garden...I can't wait!
Wow, what a great bean color! That's kind of strange that they turn back to green when cooked. (Ok, it's probably not strange, but I didn't get a science degree!) The bowl of oranges is a beautiful drawing but I am going to agree they don't look so much like oranges. I mean, the shape does! They look like a slightly mysterious orange-like fruit.
ReplyDeleteNice Sarah! I've planted these beans in my garden recently, I hope they look as beautiful as your drawing. And there is nothing more cheerful than a bowl of lemons...
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to try those beans! Great colours! Interesting experiment with that paper - and the background too - I know it's not strictly botanical but it's a lovely image nevertheless!
ReplyDeleteYour colors are spectacular! I LOVE these drawings! The lemons virtually pop...and the purple beans--oh delicious!!
ReplyDeleteThe beans are wonderful! And I do like the oranges too. I can see what you mean though, color-wise. But experimenting is great anyway, even if the result isn't what you expected. I'm curious to see what you'll be drawing this summer, now that the time for seeding has come!
ReplyDeleteLovely drawings! I agree with Koosje, experimentation is a good thing. I wonder if you filled in the background more behind the table and oranges if it would make the oranges look more orange by contrast? You have such a wonderful touch in your drawings.
ReplyDeleteLooks great Sarah. To me they look like oranges that are not quite ripe. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe purple beans look amazing! Know what you mean about not being able to see the green ones to pick... think I'll plant purple next time!
ReplyDeletePS. orange illo looks amazing too... :)
Fantastic beans, Sarah! They have such great color, subtly transitioning between deep purples, black and green.
ReplyDeleteI also like your experiment with the oranges -with the color and texture of the paper running through the objects in the foreground.
Love the beans, very unusual! You did well to get the oranges & yellows vibrant,on black paper I use a layer of white first to keep the light colours.
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I'll need to try that with the layer of white. Thanks, Cathy!
DeleteThe beans are beautiful. We must try our hand at growing them. I showed Ken your drawing of the oranges. He is thrilled. I understand your thoughts about the color, but that doesn't diminish the beauty of the drawing.
ReplyDeleteAhh, you are such a good draughstperson, and have a wonderful eye for where you lay your elements on the page! Coloured pencil looks so hard and you make it look so easy! That second one reminds me of the old masters sketches, must be the colours and the surety of hand
ReplyDeleteSarah!
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you for your nice comment on my blog...yep, been out of the loop. But so great seeing ol' blogger buds visiting with such nice words. Second, oh, how I've missed your wonderful work. I gotta say, the emu egg makes me smile, and your nest for "prepare" exquisite. And I know you're not from Salem, but your Valentine series reminded me of my friend Donna's blog: streetsofsalem.com. Go to ephemera and there are postcards etc.... But she brings in history of so many things not only about Salem.
And finally, yummy beans! Also love the oranges, they're wonderful. Your work never fails to amaze me.
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Really love your illustrations Sarah and i always think doing Illustration Friday is a good chance to experiment.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely beans! And so what if your oranges appear to be lemons? They're look delicious! Art always seems to follow it's own course, with surprising and happy results. Nice work, Sarah.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh!!!! Your illustrations are perfect. I don't see any flaw, just aBsolutelly beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThey both turned out well. I agree on Canson paper - its not my favorite for layering. You might like sanded paper though. You can do more layers. Cool beans! :~)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteYour color is very beautiful.
Love the beans, they are such a wonderful colour. I think your oranges are rather nice too, the paper kind of captures the dimpled surface of oranges.
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