Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Kale

3/9/20 graphite on Strathmore 300 Bristol smooth

I admit it: I am not a fan of kale. I have tried it at salad bars and in alien forms such as “chips” (all of which helped me determine that I wasn’t a fan), but the first time I bought some at the store was for last week’s botanical drawing class lesson in textured leaves. I had to read the label to identify it because the huge, bumpy leaves didn’t resemble what I’d tasted earlier. I was instantly intrigued by that challenging texture!

Instructor Kathleen McKeehen recommended that I use a small cardboard viewfinder to select an area of about 2 to 3 inches square within the leaf – not try to draw the whole leaf. It’s a good thing I took her advice, because what you see here is all I accomplished during the three-hour class. More than anything else I’ve drawn before, the hills and valleys of my kale leaf recalled the landscapes I drew from photos in previous classes. The large center vein was like a river.

Bumpy!
Though I’m happy that I got a good start on it, I may or may not finish this drawing. Like eating kale, once is enough.

(Sadly, the kale lesson was my last in this class. . . Gage Academy closed a couple of days later.)

4 comments:

  1. I really enjoy reading about your explorations. It’s one of the things I read in the morning before I start my day. My husband and I are in the group told to stay at home, so art (and other pursuits) have become vital.

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    1. Don't miss yesterday's post, Cathy... it was prompted by your question! :-) Stay safely at home and take care!

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  2. I can just imagine how long it would take to do all those bumps and craters on the whole leaf. What you did was really great! I know it is necessary but we are missing so much due to the restrictions. But like you, I can usually happily sketch anything. Stay safe and healthy!

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    1. Yes, those of us with low standards as to subject matter will get through this! ;-) You stay safe too, Joan!

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