Waratah 1

It has been a while since I have done a coloured pencil drawing of a flower, so on my mini holiday I decided to draw a Waratah that I had bought for my office. It is so nice to have flowers in my office at work as I spend so much time there it makes the space so much more pleasant.

I have really enjoyed doing this drawing, it was so nice to work with the familiar. I tried to give the flower more space on the page, I do like a lot of white paper to show and too give the subject room.

I did the under painting of this picture with my Sennelier inks and really liked the results, so I think I will do another just in ink, it gives such a fresh look.

I have added some more pictures of my holiday to share with you, it has been a lovely time away, very relaxing and rejuvenating. I will be ready now for the final rush up to Christmas and the summer holidays. Combining Christmas and the summer holiday break as we do in Australia makes for a very busy time.

This is my holiday studio, such a lovely view down to the valley.

This is one of the beaches on the Great Ocean Rd, I added this one for you Jennifer Tan.

This one I couldn’t resist, a Australian farmers Christmas scene, I drove past and had to come back for a photo, just to get into the Christmas spirit.

Karen

What is inspiring me – Cressida Campbell

Paperbarks

Cressida Campbell is an Australian artist who does the most beautiful wood block prints.  She has been producing art for many years, but I have only just discovered her work.  Each artwork is carved from a piece of plywood using a small engraving tool after a detailed drawing straight onto the wood. After the carving is complete watercolour paint is applied, in two layers, to each area, the colour is freshened up and a single impression is made – a mirror image of the carving.

Nasturtiums

I love her choice of subject matter, she has done a range of Australian natives, still life flowers, interior scenes and kitchen still life.  She has taken the ordinary and shown it to us as something special.  Her clear and muted colours are beautiful and there is a lyrical quality to her work that I love.

I have saved a range of her images and am using them as my background on the computer, so while at work I can contemplate each picture as my slide show of her paintings slowly changes through the day.  It may not do wonders for my work productivity, but it keeps me inspired all day.

Olive Oil and Fennel

I hope these inspire you as much as they have done me.

Karen