Monday 8 August 2011

Latest sketchbook page and Macro experiments.

Our latest task was to take a small area of one of our drawings, roughly the same proportions as a page of our sketchbook. We had to trace off the main lines and shapes, enlarge them to fit the page size and try to reproduce the colours of the original drawing. Well I seemed to have boring straight lines everywhere whereas Gina's drawings had lovely curves and sinuous lines - much more interesting. My first attempt was abysmal and is no more. The second attempt is as near as I can get it but still not true. There is too much contrast between the central green area and the darker one to it's left and the crossed lines on the base of the thistle are much too dark but I was afraid of messing it up altogether if I continued to add lighter shades. I found it much harder than I imagined to increase the size and try to replicate the colours.



Linda - whose blog is Blue-Eyed Girl - takes wonderful photos using the Macro device on her camera. I knew I had one on mine but had never used it, so decided the time had come to see what it did. These are my first attempts.

Above is the centre of a day lily. I think I need to adjust the amount of light somehow.

A petunia - also too light.


Part of a spray of buddliea - rather blurred but everytime I focussed the breeze moved it. I should have loaded these is the reverse order so they got better as you viewed them! It would be sensible to use the CD that came with the camera and which would give me full instructions - but that is too much to ask!










11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Heather, you are doing really well on this project, especially the transferring of the image. That would be a step too far for me I'm afraid.

I've never read the instructions for my camera either though I did manage to work out how to use the macro feature. I'm pretty sure there are more ways to use it too. You'll soon get the hang of it. If you want to shoot flowers it is easier to take them indoors where they sit quietly...

Maggi said...

I hate it when the plants won't stay still for you. The day lily just glows. Have you thought of trying a different area of your sketchbook to macro, there are some lovely jagged shapes and crosshatching on the thistle head.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I tried the art workshop by Gina and my attempts were abysmal Heather. Yours are so much better. I came to the conclusion that it was not good me doing them in isolation - I just have not got the confidence. I would need to be in a class, where we could all discuss the work. Your camera stuff is interesting too - you are so inventive.

Linda Vincent said...

I really like what you're doing in your sketchbook Heather. Keep going...its so interesting and inspiring :-)
I like your macro pics.Yesterday I tried to take some more...but it was just too windy. I think we'll both try again when it calms down!
xx

Robin Mac said...

I am fascinated by what you are doing in Gina's class - all looks too hard for me to try. I love the macro setting on my camera and I do read the manual, but I am lucky enough to have a printed version as my camera is about 5 years old. No doubt the next camera will only have the hated DVD with it!

Lyn said...

I think you learn more by just playing, I like the effect of these photos!
xxx

The Bug said...

I like the photos a lot. I haven't read the manual for our camera & we've had it a year and a half. There might be riches in there that I'll never know about :)

Cas Holmes said...

HI Heather

I found you. Yes, West Dean is amazing and well worth a visit.

Cas

Jan said...

Heather, I'm new to your blog, thanks to Gina.

I was very interested in seeing your sketchbook exercises, and feel that you have a wonderful color variation going on. I also had trouble with my potato stamps.....Somehow, they weren't quite that tricky when I was a kid. Go figure.

I look forward to watching your progress!

Heather said...

Thankyou everyone for your comments and, JAN, I tried to leave a comment on your blog but blogger wouldn't let me. Love your blue flowers and the subtle colour contrasts you added. Roll on the next exercise - they are great fun and very helpful.

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