Blog #3 Friends of Silver Falls Native Plant Project- Overcoming White Fright!
This is the third in a series of blogs I’m writing about a native plant illustration commission I received from the Friends of Silver Falls State Park (FOSF). To read the first blog click here.
Redwood sorrel, Oxalis oregana. .005 Sakura Micron Pen.
White fright!
Having gone to all the trouble of making beautiful new sketchpads for this project (see my last blog), when it came to the moment of actually drawing in my first one I had a serious attack of “white fright”. I looked at the white expanse of expensive Fabriano Artistico watercolor paper and was paralyzed. No amount of cajoling or upbraiding myself made a whit of difference. I was intimidated. After struggling back and forth for a while I decided that a different approach was needed.
Drawing as meditation!
I knew from experience that when I draw with a black pen only, no pencils or erasures allowed, I somehow manage to relax more and spend the time truly observing my plant subject. It’s the closest thing to meditation that I know; a time when I let go of expectations and focus completely on the act of looking and drawing. Time stands still.
Coastal range sketch- salal, sword fern and trailing blackberry (while also having fun with bark texture).
A new sketchpad!
With this in mind I decided that my “white fright” sketchpad had to wait while I practiced some “meditation drawing”. I went back to my local art store and bought an (inexpensive) 11×14 inch, Alternative Art wire-bound sketchpad and some .005 Sakura micron pens. I like the way the fine .005 tips allow me to include lots of fine detail if I wish, as well as interesting textures. The inexpensive sketchpad also means that I don’t worry about wasting good paper. It is big enough too for lots of observations and, with its strong hardback cover, it doubles as a drawing board for my “good” sketchpad.
Scouler’s corydalis, Corydalis scouleri study in my “meditation” sketchpad.
Not all my pen drawings are this successful, and many are unfinished, like this one. For me the point is not to produce the perfect finished drawing but to loose myself a little in the looking, and really enjoy getting to know the plant.
Aislinn Adams
Blog #3 Friends of Silver Falls Native Plant Project- Overcoming White Fright!
Great idea to have a meditation sketch pad for ‘looser’ studies! I might use that idea myself. I love my Micron .005 pen too but after several years of use and a trip to Mt Hood it finally sprung a leak so I’ve got to replace it. It has served me well for a long time though. Btw, welcome back!
Thanks Janene. I run through the Micron pens very quickly. I tested mine at altitude too- bringing a couple of the pens to the top of Mt. Rainier a couple of summers ago to see what would happen. Thankfully they behaved 🙂
I love your work! I don’t think you realise just how talented you are. I’m still sighing over your wonderful sketchbook drawings of lichens. It was lovely to meet up with you the other week, and thank you for your gifts (I have stolen Yanny’s!)
That was a great day Shevaun. I have your “monkey’s ear” sitting on my drawing board right now. I hope to finish it soon. 🙂
Very good article post.Really thank you! Cool.
Thanks William.