Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Sketchbook Tuesday - daffodil challenge

Daffodils are quite a challenge for me to paint. I attempt sketching them every year, and every time I do it is a struggle. Getting the lights light enough, showing those darks and shadows without getting mud. They are so delicate in color, such happy flowers. I love seeing them popping up every spring. This year, because of our mild winter, our daffodils are blooming a full month earlier than they did the past two years. But yet again, they bloomed and then we had a snowfall. That does seem to happen every year!
**************************
Are the daffodils blooming where you are?  I would like to issue a daffodil challenge to anyone interested. Sketch, paint, or draw daffodils and leave a comment to this post with link to where we can see your artwork. At the end of this month, March 31st. or there about, I'll share all the links to everyone's daffodil inspired art in a post on this blog. Happy spring!

26 comments:

Carolyn A Pappas said...

I don't think I've ever tried to paint or draw daffodils. I would like to have some in the garden, but they don't grow very well around my house (too windy). If I see some I will give it a shot though.

Judy said...

Your daffs are great! I find them difficult to paint too, I did several attempts.

Capt Elaine Magliacane said...

Mine in my yard haven't bloomed yet, about 8 to 12 inches of greenery though... I find them a challenge to draw too.

Donna Mulholland said...

Gorgeous, and I love the composition of the whole thing.

nanke's stuff said...

Well, you may have struggled with them, but you definitely won - they're beautiful! We don't have any daffs blooming yet here in the Mitten. nancy

Unknown said...

Here's a link to my daffodil. They are blooming in North Carolina too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinobers/6798850040/

Jennifer Rose said...

the daffodils haven't bloomed yet, but they are getting close. the park should be a filed of yellow as long as people don't go and pick them all like they did last year :/

Timaree said...

They look nice. I don't have any of these in my desert yard. They sure speak Spring!

Autumn Leaves said...

We haven't any blooms of any kind yet here. I think you've done a fabulous job with these, Ann. I so love the combination of green and yellow (my dad's and mom's favorite colors), and that fabulous little bottle too. I think this is just exquisite!

Teresa Mallen said...

I know I should be focusing on the flowers yet I love the bottle - gorgeous colours. It shall be several weeks before daffodils are up here (Ottawa Canada). Lots of snow has to melt first.

BARBARA WEEKS said...

It's still very gray in Chicago but your daffodils sure brightened my morning! Lovely!

Debbie Nolan said...

your daffodils are great - I am painting a bouquet of them now as well and do find yellows hard to keep the mud out.

kazumiwannabe said...

I like what you did with those daffodils! They're called "narcisse" in french. I can't get enough of the yellow color these days, so I'll try to meet your challenge. Anyway, love your posts and art as always!

Cathy Holtom said...

I think anything yellow is hard to paint without losing the freshness of the colour. If I find some daffodils I will give your challenge a go.

Lynn said...

Lovely, Ann. This sounds like a good thing to do this weekend. No daffs are blooming here, but sometimes we can get them at the grocery store as cut flowers. They do cheer up a grey winter's day.

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

Pretty and I love Daffodils, they are so happy and I like the fresh scent of them... Over here they only grow inside right now (bought some to have on our side board, so pretty)... I think it will be more than a month before we see them coming up around here, cant wait.

Rose Welty said...

I agree - I was considering giving up on my daffs when I saw your post. For me, I think it was the lack of value contrast in them - there is some form in the center bits, but the petals (?) just have no value change to inspire form with. No easy task but you did a lovely job Ann.

Peachtreeart said...

Are you sure daffodils are a challenge for you? You've done such a great job!

Ann said...

Thanks everyone for your very nice comments! And I look forward to seeing all of the daffodil art!

Sue said...

Ann, thanks for issuing the challenge; it's my first.

"Challenge" is indeed the operative word for daffodils, but I gave it a go:

http://smlvisual.blogspot.com/2012/03/daffodil-challenge.html

Can't wait to see everyone's interpretations.

Judy said...

You'll find my daffodils here:
http://dedraadaquarellen.blogspot.com/2012/02/geel-yellow.html

Connie said...

Lovely daffodils, and gorgeous bottle! Here's a link to daffodils I sketched, in Piedmont North Carolina, back in January, while working on my Treehouse-themed book for The Sketchbook Project 2012. http://www.flickr.com/photos/62687211@N03/6746896921/in/set-72157627869904453 These were early ones at the edge of an accidental wood - the main crop popped later all over town. Now (end of March) EVERYthing seems to be blooming, all over. Too much all at once - we're like kids in a candy shop.

CheyAnneSexton said...

Here is my daffodil painting
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40451132/daffodil-flowers-with-rain
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne

Elderberry-Rob said...

I find daffodils tricky too, here are mine, some on silk and some watercolour - I like the watercolour better.
http://betty-thewoodfairy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/blah.html

Melliott said...

I'm really late to the game, but here's mine, with an explanation for my tardiness:
http://theslipcover.blogspot.com/
Melliott

Elblog del simpleescorts said...

Gracias por la info!

Te comparto mi blog mas reciente sobre Acompañantes en chile

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin