diva's weekly challenge # 241

This week's challenge is offered by Guest Blogger Paula Bramante, CZT 15 and is titled "Stones and Ceremony" and can be found here.

I chose to use a round tile that is about 3 1/3" wide and was done on a tan(ish) tile. 
The tangles I used are stacked stones and zinger...

(the tile doesn't have a black background, it's just sitting on top of a larger black tile...)

Sketchbook Oriental Goldfish

This Oriental Goldfish is lesson #12 in David Williams' book. This was a fun piece to draw. 

*I included two images to try to show more detail, although in both images the tail shows up darker than the actual drawing... I guess this is a byproduct of using a cell phone camera...

 
Strathmore Recycled Sketch Paper, fine tooth surface, WindpowerⓇ
5.5 x 8.5" 60 lb paper with cretacolor pencils

Sketchbook Roses

I've loved roses since I was a child. My grandmother's name was Rose which probably had something to do with it and the fact that my mom grew them when I was young. Combine that with the fact that there are almost an endless variety of roses and how could I not love them?

I am really happy with the way the two outer roses turned out but I think the middle one needs a bit of work...

Strathmore Drawing Paper, medium surface, 400 series
8 x 10" 80 lb paper with Cretacolor & Derwent pencils
(the color of the paper is actually lighter than what is shown in the image...)

Sketchbook Plumeria

Plumeria or Frangipani as it's also known has so many beautiful meanings (some are shown below the image). When I was looking up flowers to draw I came across this one and it's meanings and decided I had to draw it. 
 
Strathmore Drawing Paper, medium surface, 400 series
8 x 10" 80 lb paper with Cretacolor & Derwent pencils

• The frangipani is the national tree of Laos, where it is called dok jampa. It is regarded as a sacred tree in Laos and every Buddhist temple in that country has them planted in their courtyards. Many of the trees are hundreds of years old and are spectacular, huge, gnarled giants.
• Many Hawaiian leis are made from frangipani (Plumeria) flowers.
• Frangipanis are good hosts for dendrobium orchids.
• The frangipani is the flower of the city of Palermo in Sicily, Italy.
• Frangipanis won't burn except in extreme (over 500 degrees) temperatures.
• The frangipani is also associated with love in feng shui.
• In modern Polynesian culture, the frangipani can be worn by women to indicate their relationship status - over the right ear if seeking a relationship, and over the left if taken.
• In India the frangipani is a symbol of immortality because of its ability to produce leaves and flowers even after it has been lifted out of the soil. It is often planted near temples and graveyards, where the fresh flowers fall daily upon the tombs. 

 For more info on this beautiful flower, you can take a look at this page About Frangipanis & Plumeria


NOTE: the above list comes from this site...
 

Sketchbook Apple

This is another lesson, the 7th, from David Williams' book on drawing. I'm really happy with the way this one turned out. I may try this one again with color pencils to see how it differs.


Strathmore Recycled Sketch Paper, fine tooth surface, WindpowerⓇ
5.5 x 8.5" 60 lb paper with cretacolor pencils

Sketchbook Calla Lily

The Calla Lily is another favorite flower of mine so I thought I'd try my hand (pun intended) at drawing them. I decided to try a few different versions to get an idea on perspective. 

There's something very peaceful about drawing from Nature. I don't know if that is the case with other people but it is for me. 

Strathmore Drawing Paper, medium surface, 400 series
8 x 10" 80 lb paper with cretacolor pencils

Sketchbook Tower

This is another lesson, the 6th, from David Williams' book on drawing. I bought it after I found his candle & flame tutorial online. 

I'm not all that happy with the way the rocks turned out but I do like the tower itself. Not bad for a first try... will try it again in a couple of weeks to see the difference...

Strathmore Recycled Sketch Paper, fine tooth surface, WindpowerⓇ
5.5 x 8.5" 60 lb paper with cretacolor pencils