Foliage – Pencil
“If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”
– Vincent Van Gogh
When given a sharp pencil, a blank piece of paper, and ten minutes or more of quiet time, I can usually find subject matter close at hand to occupy my attention. I have learned to admire the simplest of plants. A desiccated blade of grass can transform into an object of beauty via a finely-honed drawing.
The meandering philodendrom makes, for me, a fairly easy study. The basic shape and details of the leaves are forgiving and can be lightly drawn without too much fuss. The shading can be added later. This drawing is an unfinished work, though I am hesitant to continue.
My critical eye goes to the two simple leaves in the middle of the drawing. They seem to have a push-pull effect as if they’re not sure where they belong. Ten or so minutes of subtle shading will place them more firmly in the background. But wait -overworking a picture often ruins it.
The decision belongs to all of you; should I continue shading and adding depth, or is it time to stop? Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Would any of you consider drawing a blade of grass or three? I will try to do several studies of grass and will share those results next Thursday.
Sharpen that pencil and start drawing! 🙂 Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Wonderful sketch .. And it looks completed.. I like half finished shaded areas it gives if perspective.. And would you believe it.. I too sat on my lawn yesterday sketching what took my eye in my garden.. Its not half as good as this though 🙂 Love and Blessings for a Fabulous rest of the week.. xxx
I love it as is. I hope you’re doing well. ❤️ I am tired and edgy. Not a good combination 😉 I need some medicine man meds to manage my mood. LOL My best, Lisa.
The two top shaded leaves. See?
Then…the two darker shaded leaves below and underneath which are, actually, a triad…but the third leaf on the very [underneath] left is completely “blank” except for the outline. See?
I would replicate the shading as are the other two. Complete that triad. It just balances better (if you squint your eyes).
See?
Happy you are feeling better!!!
Mucho happy.
RRR
The leaves that are fully (or to me) developed are the ones I like best, so I suppose I’d prefer if it were all to that level of shading.
Beautiful Z – crisp and clean. Love the forms and shading, you are the best knowing when to stop – the age old question. Hope you are well and have a lovely weekend.
I like it as is, but there are better judges than me.
lovely sketch, but I would prefer additional shading. But then again, as you well know, this is coming from a person who doesn’t like to sketch and prefers bright colors over white, blacks and grays 🙂
Beauty is everywhere indeed. But it is people like you who point it out to us when we are too busy or preoccupied to see it! Thanks, as always.
I like it as it is …. but don’t ask me to draw. My four year old granddaughter can draw better than I can!
You amaze me with your description of how you proceed to sketch and your perception of what seems finished or unfinished. if the leaves are speaking to you and telling you they don’t seem to know where they belong, you can help them by tenderly shading them, or if they seem to be happy “not belonging”, then let them be. Personally, I kind of like “not belonging” and tend to be happier following my own path. Hugs to you. Sure glad your hands are not as stiff so you can resume your awesome sketches. 🙂
I think you have the ability to take it further.
Although ultimately beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
If you are happy with it leave it but I would like to see you continue.
Another lovely drawing! Stop where you are. Less is often more. 🙂 Hugs chica and I hope that you are feeling much better! ^..^
Maybe one more central leaf shaded, but I like the fading out effect of the leaves around the edges as it keeps the attention coming back to the shaded leaves in the middle
I think it feels unbalanced because the heaviest shading is all to the right. I’d shade the large leaf farthest to the left — that ought to take care of it. (Don’t I just sound like the expert? LOL)
I think it will look a bit too busy if you do much more to it. Maybe a little transitional shading from foreground to background, but not much.