Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Illustration Friday: Crooked

a Couple of Cuddling Crooknecks 

Hmmm...maybe I should do an alphabet series...

I've been trying to think of a good subject for the topic, "crooked", while repeatedly walking past a huge pile of these squash on my kitchen counter. Obviously, it finally dawned on me that crookneck squash fit the bill. The plants are getting scraggly and overgrown, but they're still producing like crazy. 

I'm annoyed with myself because I rushed a bit while working on these shadows and made them too dark; it's tricky when you have a yellow subject on a white background. Then I tried to soften them by adding a little crosshatching, which wasn't all that successful either. Ah well, live and learn: Slow down. And plant fewer squash next year.

15 comments:

  1. Yes! You SHOULD do an alphabet series, Sarah!! Such a gorgeous illustraiton..and we just love crookneck squash! Soo good to see your work..hope you have a lovely fall!

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  2. I always think they look like swans.

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  3. That's a great idea, the alphabet series! I love the title for this one! Next, you could do Dancing Dandelions, or Dueling Doughnuts... the possibilities are endless! I love the brilliant colors and the soft shading that you've done with this piece. The curving lines are so nice too.

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  4. I like the cropping on your crooked squashes. You really nailed the waxy yellow surface, too!

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  5. I love your interpretation. I think that an alphabet series would be a great idea! I'm expecting my first child, so I'm trying to find a creative alphabet series for the nursery.

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  6. I want to click "like" about five times each on all the comments above. :)

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  7. I came over from Katherine Thomas's blog because I was intrigued by your comment. Want to let you know I agree with Katherine - the squash are really good and the shadows are great too.

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  8. Beautiful! I think you're being over critical of the shadows, though if you want to soften the look a little, maybe darken the squash a bit where it touches the shadow? I especially like the orange touches.

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  9. Actually, I like the dark shadows. They give the drawing a kind of graphic look. And they really pop the yellow squashes right off the page!

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  10. Oh boy, I can taste them now with lots of butter and black pepper. My favorite summer thing.
    Nice work!

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  11. Beautiful Sarah.... I love that yellow.

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  12. Beautiful Sarah. Squash fascinate me, all the different colours shapes and textures. If you hadn't said about the shadows I'd never have thought about them and I agree they lift the squash off the page.

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  13. Wow these crooknecks have fabulous colour...just love the way it is textured...this really taste yummy with the black pepper...Good one!!

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