One of my first projects for this year is a botanical illustration which I've been working on (amongst other things) over the last couple of weeks. As soon as this one came up, I decided I wanted to do something Australian and as a result have developed a new-found obsession with gathering, buying and stalking out every kind of native flora I can! Thought I'd share some of the bounty that have been giving my home and sketchbook a workout over the last little while.
As you can see, in the end I decided upon this grevillea.... although not as bold and fabulous as some other things I could have chosen; the detail, intricacy and softness of these natives have a real beauty when you stop to take a proper look. It's funny, I actually used to not like these flowers at all (and many natives in fact); but I think I'm developing a new found appreciation for my things in nature that I used to gloss straight over.
Aside from this exercise being a great justification for me nicking roadside flowers and spending inordinate amounts of time in florists, I've really been enjoying tacking something a little different, and trialling and learning with new techniques and approaches.
It's still in progress but I hope you enjoy a few images of the workings in the meantime. I look forward to sharing the completed piece with you in a week or two!
Pip x
8 comments:
Exquisite Pip - you really do have the most amazing talent. Love seeing your work in progress. Happy New Year bella x
It's really what life is all about.... your last post and this post combined! Slow down, do what you love, be open to something new, and this is exactly what happened to you with your newfound love of native plants and florals... Always interested in watching you work! Now I know how detailed you really get, dissecting the flowers to get even the smallest detail. Keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing your finished work!!
You're much too kind but thank you Kimberlee- happy 2013 to you too! x Pip
Natasha- hello and happy new year to you! It is indeed great to learn and grow- you're right, that's what it's all about! Hope 2013 is off to a great start for you as always thank you for stopping by x Pip
Stunning! Love your work, Pip. I might be wrong but I think the top flower is a kind of protea which is native to South Africa.
Lovely to have found your blog Pip - great to see your beautiful work (and photographs!) in larger scale. Love the blog :-)
Sinead - lovely to see you here too! Thanks for reading x
Anonymous - you are indeed correct, the protea looks a bit like the banksias we have here but they are indeed native to South Africa - so thank you for pointing it out!
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