Ivy sketchbook scientific illustration and a landscape
Autumn is well and truly here; with flat yellow leaves on the pavements, tractors hauling trailer-loads of potatoes through town, and windfall apples rotting in the wet grass. Time to do some sketchbook studies.
I had a wonderful time with the ivy, getting the depth of the glossy dark greens was really tough, but it was wonderful when I felt I’d come close. The structure of both the flowers and berries is exacting and fascinating, it was a treat to have to get out the dissecting microscope to have a proper look. It’s finished, and my studio is no longer full of the sticky scent of ivy flowers. It was a lovely job to work on. It’s also extraordinary to see the hoards of insects using ivy flowers as a nectar source; it’s the only copious nectar producer out there right now and it’s a buzzing mosaic of hoverflies, bees, butterflies, flies, and the odd wasp. A joy to behold, and well worth listening to as well!
I’ve got feedback on my private commission, so have begun drawing up the final rough. I love this stage, everything seems possible and the space within the sheet of paper seems to stretch and contract with every new item you add. Here’s a snippet of the rough as it is now, by the end of the week it’ll be completed.
Tomorrow is a treat, I’m off on a Fungal Foray with Radnorshire Wildlife Trust , in practice for the nature walk I’ll be leading on Monday October 15th as part of h.Energy week, here in Herefordshire. Come along, I’d love to see you there!
