Tuesday 21 July 2009

Slow & Steady......

If I've been a bit quiet this week, this is the reason why. I've been working away at this potato plant for nearly a fortnight and it is very painstaking and time-consuming, but thoroughly enjoyable to work at my own pace for a change rather than rushing. It took me three afternoons to map out the leaves using a selection of photographs taken of the actual plant. I blocked them in using the approximate colour and tone, and I am now working my way through them painting in the detail. I have completed the bottom left hand section and am on my way around anti-clockwise - no particular reason, just the way each leaf is leading on to the next.

I am saving the flowers until last - firstly because they are very pale and need to be painted on top of the green to prevent ragged edges, and secondly because I'm looking forward to doing them!

This is painted in acrylic on Dalerboard.

Knitting-wise, I have been labouring over a lace shawl in a denim cotton yarn. A slightly unusual combination, but it seems to work. As it began with 400 cast on stitches, this project is a little labour intensive as well - thankfully it is decreasing with each alternate row to getting easier as I go along.

I'm also counting the hours until school breaks up for the summer and I can have a rest from the day job for a while....I'm tired!

10 comments:

Magpie Magic said...

The painting is already looking fantastic. Potatoes are such beautiful plants and you are doing it justice.

Can't wait to see your shawl. :-)

One more day to go....

Sallie said...

Totally amazing potato plant! It looks terribly complex. Great job!

natural attrill said...

Fabulous work Caroline, I just enlarged the photo to see how much detail you have put into those leaves, and all the lovely various greens, superb!
penny.

Midge x x x said...

my word Caroline, 400 stitches, labour intensive.......... going to get some pots from the garden tomorrow (well I'm not), will think of you and snap with the camera. x x x ALL ANGLES!

Nunt said...

From your comment in my blog I understand that your dog got past the kitty-poo-eating stage... Gosh I sure hope ours will too! Especially because he likes to scavenge the litter box and then give us kisses....

ugh

xx,
nunt

Gordon Fraser said...

That plant looks superb Caroline!!!....how many more to do now?

Caroline B said...

Hi Goth....52 more....:0(

I have 9 specimens cluttering up the fridge at the moment, plus the last top quarter of the plant to finish off...and a dog portrait....guess I'll just give up sleep for a while!

Caroline x

Gordon Fraser said...

52?!......Will it ever end?!.....Keep at it girl...I know how it feels...my secret....LOADS OF COFFEE AND NAUGHTY FAGS!!!

Caroline B said...

Aw, I can't do that - coffee gives me the shakes & gave up the ciggies about 20 years ago. I rely on green tea & chocolate!
As of this afternoon it's now 50 and a bit to go....
Problem is, I can only paint these during daylight hours as electric light (even a daylight bulb) alters the colours radically, so can't pull any late-nighters.

Unknown said...

this looks fab Caroline-very well done!!