Sunday 25 July 2010

Bamboo

Coloured pencil (29x20 cms)

I was drawn to this bamboo at The Botanical Gardens because of it's patterns and the way I was pulled into it, almost as if there was a hidden pathway...who knows what other world exists on the other side!!?
This is bigger than the sketches I've been doing lately and took a bit longer, but today is the day for finishing off some projects that have been hanging around.  I've another painting that I will hopefully finish later....maybe (!)

19 comments:

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

Thats a beautiful drawing of Bamboo, I love the draker hidden side to it (draws your eye in), and its just what I thought (the other side)... I remember the forest around where I grew up in Sweden, and there was this place hidden behind thick bush and moss... where I found that other side, a magic place. Beautiful drawing.

Lucia B. said...

It's a very beautiful drawing, I like the subtle variations of colours and light on the surface of the bamboo and also the feeling given by these bushes of being on the treshold of some mysterious, fascinating, "other" world.

rrARTz said...

this is gorgeous! the depth and detail are amazing!

Anonymous said...

Oh - this is lovely - it looks so cool and inviting - but also mysterious!

bettyfromtexas said...

Beautifully realized . . . the detail is spectacular!

Dee said...

How beautifully you have rendered the bamboo. Colored pencil is now my medium if choice and I envy your skill.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!!! WOW!!!

alissaduke said...

Great drawing. I attempted bamboo once and I realised that it is a lot more complex than it looks. I applaud you !

Sarah said...

Lovely - I really like both the range of colours you've used and the way you have used the colours and texture of the pencils on the paper to suggest detail. Skilful!

debra morris said...

Beautiful Cathy! Looks like the bamboo near my house....[in HK there is a bamboo snake(beautiful bright green,venomous but quite shy)so I never venture into any hidden pathways]What size do you normally do your pictures?

nanke's stuff said...

Oh, it's lovely. I really like how you were able to make sense of all those stems (trunks?) and captured all the different markings on them. I can almost see the hidden path. After reading debra's post, though, I might be a tad reluctant to venture in! nancy

Alex said...

I really could feel myself being there, as we do have tons of those in Malaysia too ^^ I admire the complexity of the art, and I know it's tough to keep track of which is which to make sure the colors don't get mixed up... you've brought out each shot perfectly!
At first I thought you bought a Wacom Bamboo Tablet... hahahahaha those I heard are fun too

Cathy Holtom said...

Nancy - I'm a little worried too after Debra's comment..not sure I'd like to meet a bright green snake in there.

Alex - yes it was complicated keeping track of all the sections.

Debra I usually only do approx 15x20cms sketches in my sketch book, this one was on 'proper' paper and takes longer.

Sandra said...

Such mastery of the colored pencil!

Dan Kent said...

Very beautiful and such attention to detail! I think my patience would have run out after awhile. It is quite a beautiful and unique drawing - wow!

Unknown said...

I agree with Sandra...I think you'll be writing your own book on colored pencil soon. I am amazed how much depth you've created in this!

Ann said...

Gorgeous drawing! I love depth of color and the softness of the surface too. What kind of paper did you use for this?

Sara Light-Waller said...

I love the colors you've used Cathy. They're so lively. The depth of field is wonderful too. I feel like I could just walk into this grove. Wonderful work. :-)

Gillian Mowbray said...

So mysterious and dreamy - like it's out of a fairy tale. You turn everything you draw into magic!