Red Mangrove - Rhizophora mangle

For my final project I decided to render the Red Mangrove. I chose to do the rendering in watercolor to reflect the environment of the plant which lives mostly in brackish water (half fresh and half salt water).
Before I began painting on the large paper I did a few practices.

So first I began with practicing sketching the plant. I decided to later use a more side view of the plant rather than the one above. In the drawing above the leafs closest to the camera appeared bigger than the ones farther away, however it looks odd in the drawing.

Above is my completed practice painting. I worked on watercolor paper and played with the variety of greens and brushes. The leafs are different colors as I played with more yellow tones or blue tones. I decided that the leafs needed to have a blue tinge to them. Also, I painted the roots as if they were sitting in water as shown in one of the reference photos.

Above is my completed project. I added less leafs than before to keep the overall painting simple. I added a textured background wash to simulate background foliage. To make the roots appear to be standing in water I added extra water to the ends of the roots to fade them. The leafs have a blue tinge to them and some have the center line depending on the angle. 

I feel that I need more practice with watercolor. I did not always have the patience to wait for the paint to dry before adding second layers. In addition, I believe that the leafs and stems need more definition so that they don't appear to be flat. Overall, I am pleased with how the project finished and I feel that it does accurately represent the Red Mangrove plant. 

Coral Cove

Our next large scale project will be based on a local beach called Coral Cove. It is also referred to as Blowing Rocks due to the large rock formations on the shore. When the waves hit the rocks, the water shoots into the air as if it were 'blowing.'

I decided to select a young Red Mangrove plant for the subject of my illustration:

Red Mangrove Plant at Low Tide

Same Red Mangrove Plant at High Tide

I plan on rendering the plant in water colors hopefully with the surrounding water. I am excited for this new challenge with a different material.

The Saw Palmetto

Here is my finished artwork for the Greenway Project

It is titled: "Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens"

Artist Statement/Abstract:

This scientific study illustrates the Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens, which was found in the Abacoa Greenway. The rendering shows two palm fronts interconnecting and their natural bright green colors. The final illustration was completed using colored pencil with a layering and burnishing technique. This specimen was selected due to its symbolism as an iconic Florida species. Although it is constantly found across Florida, native Floridians may not place much attention on its presence. However, this illustration aims to earn the attention of the viewers so that it's beauty can be admired.

I am generally satisfied with the work. I enjoyed working with colored pencil and creating a thick layer so that the leaves have a shiny texture. I believe that scientifically speaking, the leaves are not perfectly drawn but the colors are exact. The illustration shows a "perfect" palm frond, but naturally the fronds have split brown ends depending on the dryness on the environment and the weather that affects the plant. 

This project has been entered into my college's undergraduate symposium that will take place on April 12th. I am anxious to hear whether it will be accepted. 

The Greenway

Beginning on February 11 we spent four days in the local Greenway to begin our first large scale project. We spent the days wandering the Greenway and sketching possible objects to render.

Here are some photographs from the first week in the Greenway. I was in love with my surroundings there but couldn't find any particular thing to concentrate on during the first week.

Later I finally decided to concentrate on the Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens. It is an iconic plant of Florida and is found all over the Greenway, such as in the last photo above.

Above are two renderings that I did in the Greenway to work with composition for my final project. I am settling on the second image of the two palm fronds interweaving. I believe this will be interesting to look at. I will render this in large scale with colored pencil.

I hope I will be able to properly render the design of the plant including its color, shadow and texture.

Caiman crocodilus

February 6, 2013

Today we got to pick a fossil or bone to render. I chose part of a skull of a Spectacled Caiman, Caiman crocodilus. Below is a photo of a live Spectacled Caiman.

http://dinets.travel.ru/speccaiman05.jpg

Here is the skull I selected looking from above:

Spectacled Caiman skull

The skull is incomplete, only showing where the eyes sat and part of the jaw. However, this was an interesting piece to practice with since it has so many shadows and textures. My rendering below:

Overall I was very pleased on how my skull turned out. However I need to practice more on texture which is what challenges me most. 

Tillandsia recurvata

January 30, 2013

Today we were given a piece of Ball Moss, Tillandsia recurvata, to render in pencil and colored pencil.

In the colored pencil rendering I used Prismacolor colored pencils with colors: Limepeal, Olive Green, Light Umber, Parrot Green and Sepia.

I love working with the different colors in the moss rendering to create different values. Although the moss is very green, the more blue colors were necessary to create shadows of the write shade. Sepia allowed me to create more of a brownish tone to the stem. 

Garnet Crystal

January 23, 2013

Today we selected a different inanimate object to render. I selected a piece of Garnet Crystal as shown below. This was a challenge to create the multiple textures found in the rock. However, I believe I need more practice with this kind of material!