Jun 16, 2010
grow
I had to spend a couple of days working intently on a web design project, but today I had some time to get back to the Creativity Boot Camp themes, and I finished up a drawing for the theme, “grow”.
This is the first year I’ve really paid attention to how seeds grow into plants, and I was amazed to discover that the first pair of leaves that sprout up are practically identical for all plants, and that it’s the second set of leaves that are unique to the variety. I was completely charmed by the miniature leaves, and kept exclaiming deeply insightful gems such as, “wow these little chard leaves look just like big chard leaves, only tiny!” and “look at these mini-parsley leaves! you can really tell that it’s parsley!”
Although you might not have guessed it from those excited comments, I do know a thing or two about plants and gardening. I find it completely fantastic that I can still be surprised and learn new things.
When the theme of “grow” came up, the first idea that sprang to mind was to represent my new discovery, so it was just a matter of having the time to do it.
I first drew the little plants in pencil, outlined them in black, and then filled in the leaves with various shades of green.
Shown are swiss chard, parsley, nasturtium, and basil seedlings. After scanning in the drawing, it seemed too flat, so I added some details to the leaves.
Adding detail was a good call since it makes the plants a whole lot easier to identify in the drawing, at least in my mind. I briefly thought about filling a pen with white ink to draw the lines on the nasturtium, but the desire to just get it done won out.
At some point I realized that the drawing was perfect for a repeat pattern, and it was more than halfway there already. In Photoshop the only adjustment I had to make was to the positioning of some of the individual plants in order to get the repeated pattern to look balanced.
I repeated the pattern once more to get an idea of what it would look like smaller.
I’m very happy with the result, especially since I didn’t specifically set out to make a pattern, but to simply draw my interpretation of “grow”. In the drawing itself, I’m most satisfied with the swiss chard. I think the basil and parsley could be a little better, but they are ok for now.
I’m looking forward to working on the next theme which is “fluid”. I have a couple of ideas, but I’m not totally sure about which direction I’m going to take just yet.
Very interesting drawing. I like the small repeated pattern, and it’s nothing like your previous work (that I’m familiar with)
thank you, francesca.
i’m really happy with the way the pattern worked out. I wasn’t sure if it would work as a repeat, but I think it definitely does.
it’s funny to hear you describe it as “nothing like” my previous stuff. After thinking about it, I would have to agree with you. I think perhaps the style is a bit similar to the pods with fruit drawing, but that’s the only thing that comes close. I’m trying to rack my brain and think if I can come up with any of my older work that it might resemble, but so far, nothing.
It’s definitely a new style for me as far as patterns go. I’m a little uncertain myself about what makes it different. Maybe because the plants aren’t touching or overlapping at all? In any case, you’ve given me something to ponder!
your color scheme is great, instantly getting my attention (although greens usually do). i especially like the first one
wait, i commented on the wrong post again, i’m sorry. the above was meant for the liquid prompt
that’s ok. looking at the layout of the blog page, i can see how it’s confusing since the “number of comments” is actually at the top of the post near the title, instead of at the end of the post, as it is with most blogs.
i’m glad you like the fluid drawings. the first one i actually did several months ago, but I liked how the waves looped, and I decided to use that when I drew the second one, which is the one I did specifically for boot camp.