Hello, all!
Last fall I saw something I thought was really fun;
flower petals, blossoms, and buds
placed strategically over some
black and white insect clip-art, as if they were the bodies and wings.
I had waited too long in the season, however, for there to be anything remotely
insect-shaped blooming in my garden, but I kept thinking about it...
Here is my take on it, with watercolor instead of black and white images.
~
~
I didn't have plans to post this when I started sketching (so no pics), but my first
step was to lightly sketch some insect shapes on heavyweight watercolor paper.
I went out and got a couple of the blossoms that I planned to use, to get the
approximate size... (I used Althea/Rose of Sharon blossoms and buds here).
I blocked in some color on the bugs, not really sure how I was going to proceed ~
(As in much of my life, "Flying by the seat of my pants")
At this point I actually planned to have a white background like my inspiration images,
or I would have waited on painting the insects ~ it's all good, though, it still worked!
~
I decided that a colored background would be better,
so I taped the watercolor paper to a board and wet the whole thing...
(I knew the paint on the insects was going to run, but I also knew I could fix it...
and that it would look like I had meant for it to be like that ~ ;) )
~
I painted some big, swishy areas of watercolor, and dropped in some
yummy Holbein Brilliant Gold gouache for added fun...
then sprinkled liberally with kosher salt ~
I put it out in the sun to dry, and to let the salt do its starburst-magic
(the salt absorbs some of the watercolor, leaving the texture).
~
I didn't have plans to post this when I started sketching (so no pics), but my first
step was to lightly sketch some insect shapes on heavyweight watercolor paper.
I went out and got a couple of the blossoms that I planned to use, to get the
approximate size... (I used Althea/Rose of Sharon blossoms and buds here).
I blocked in some color on the bugs, not really sure how I was going to proceed ~
(As in much of my life, "Flying by the seat of my pants")
At this point I actually planned to have a white background like my inspiration images,
or I would have waited on painting the insects ~ it's all good, though, it still worked!
~
I decided that a colored background would be better,
so I taped the watercolor paper to a board and wet the whole thing...
(I knew the paint on the insects was going to run, but I also knew I could fix it...
and that it would look like I had meant for it to be like that ~ ;) )
~
I painted some big, swishy areas of watercolor, and dropped in some
yummy Holbein Brilliant Gold gouache for added fun...
then sprinkled liberally with kosher salt ~
I put it out in the sun to dry, and to let the salt do its starburst-magic
(the salt absorbs some of the watercolor, leaving the texture).
~
~
When the paper was bone-dry (which didn't take all that long in the hot sun),
I used a fine brush and went back and finessed the bugs...
~
And here are the results!
Now I'm thinking about what other flower-buds would make good "insects"...
Moonflower buds, for sure...maybe a praying mantis for those...
And rosebuds, for cute little fantasy-bugs.
This is an instance where the photograph becomes the art, as the
subject matter here (the flowers and leaves, anyway) is ephemeral!
~
When the paper was bone-dry (which didn't take all that long in the hot sun),
I used a fine brush and went back and finessed the bugs...
~
And here are the results!
Now I'm thinking about what other flower-buds would make good "insects"...
Moonflower buds, for sure...maybe a praying mantis for those...
And rosebuds, for cute little fantasy-bugs.
This is an instance where the photograph becomes the art, as the
subject matter here (the flowers and leaves, anyway) is ephemeral!
~
~
~
~
Try it!
Have fun...if you don't want to draw the insects, use copyright-free clip-art...
either black and white, or tinted with markers, colored pencils, whatever you have.
Play!
I do, every day... :)
Love,
~
Try it!
Have fun...if you don't want to draw the insects, use copyright-free clip-art...
either black and white, or tinted with markers, colored pencils, whatever you have.
Play!
I do, every day... :)
Love,
~
That is really beautiful Anne... i didn't understand where you were going with your instructions.. until i got to the last photos... What a neat idea....and ofcourse your sketching is out of this world..! Miss you posting more regular but its so good to hear from you. Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! That is amazing Anne! I would never be able to do this, but seeing your artistic talent makes up for it!! Absolutely gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! That is very cool and you did an excellent job. So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty!
ReplyDeleteHello Anne, this is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try that myself, love this idea :))
Have a beautiful day
Tinna ✐
Beautiful Anne..thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteWOW, this is awesome! Love your pretty flower bugs...................
ReplyDeleteSaw these on your IG! Had to swing by and see what you were up to!!! You say your just a playing and flying by the sit of your pants! Well, I say, it is always a lovely thing here! I Love it!!! <3
ReplyDeleteAnne- You do such AMAZING work. You are a very talented lady...but I knew that even before this post. What a fun art project. You make even BUGS appealing! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteCute as a bug! ;) Lovely job!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, how I do love your bug artwork! I have been a bug and insect lover for years and I am just so excited to see what you've done with flowers and bug art. I have many pieces of insect jewelry and I can see how maybe a flower and insect combination would make just the perfect pin.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this beautiful way to highlight both flowers and bugs.
Diane in North Carolina
Oh my goodness, how I do love your bug artwork! I have been a bug and insect lover for years and I am just so excited to see what you've done with flowers and bug art. I have many pieces of insect jewelry and I can see how maybe a flower and insect combination would make just the perfect pin.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this beautiful way to highlight both flowers and bugs.
Diane in North Carolina
Oh Anne, I really do love this, it's exquisitely beautiful! You've made it look so simple, but that's because you are a talented artist, and I know that if I attempted it, it would be a "hot mess!" :-)
ReplyDeleteI do hope you're doing well, and I hope you're enjoying your weekend!! Take care!
Oh My Goodness, these flower bugs are amazing! I am an avid follower from now on. So glad I discovered you through The Mad Tea. You are an inspiration.
ReplyDelete