Nature's Lover

altheau · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 148

Here is my latest work. I am interested as to waht others think, any thoughts improvements and comments most welcome and appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Chrissy D · Joined: 12 Jan 2006 Posts: 1053 Location: Queensland

Good tonal contrast. The focus is write where it needs to be, on the bee. Size ratio of bee to flower looks ok. Looks like pencil, so very good work

King Julian · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 118 Location: Madagascar

Forgive me for being so harsh, but bees and flowers in Black and white?
I think your technique is very good but some subjects lend themselves to colour and some to black and white.
I think this one deserves colour.

altheau · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 148

Thanks Chissy, yeah it is pencil was alot of work but I like the way it turned out. Originally when I finished it yesterday I thought maybe the flowers were a bit to much, but after sitting back from it for a while I have decided it worked out just fine.

Julian, no problem. I actually think the bee looked awesome in black and white, but the flowers where a struggle. I almost wonder if the flowers being in colour would be distracting, don't know I have not used colour much but I am starting a pastel course on the 19th so maybe I will move in a little colour. I appreciate what you mean and will defiantly think about my graphite subjects and if they will look good in black and white or not.

Thanks guys I appreciate you looking and taking the time to comment.

King Julian · Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 118 Location: Madagascar

I used to make all of my art with graphite pencil.
I tried pastels, too soft, Derwent Artists Coloured Pencils Much too hard(horrible really) Faber Castell Polychromos, just right.
Please get some. you are such an amazing technician with black and white and there is a whole new world awaiting you in a box of polychromos!!
Buy the best because you are the best!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKzLjnqgARk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTr5JaSs3yA&feature=related

altheau · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 148

Thanks Julian =]

I will look defiantly look into them, I have actually recently switched from mechanical pencils to proper wood based graphite pencils in preparation for moving to colour pencils, as using and holding a good point is a bit of a skill as well. I really want to get colour pencils going this year, I can't believe it is almost half way through already.

Those videos where good, always nice to see stuff in action, thanks for taking the time to post them up