I sketched my contribution to World Drawing Day in one of my altered books:
These are seed pods from the Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora), two of which I have growing in my backyard. The trees are native to Texas, love alkaline soil, are evergreen, and bear purple blossoms that smell very much like grape Kool-aid.
The pods along the page border are drawn with micron pen and colored pencil, while the one across the text is in watercolor pencil.
I didn’t know it was World Drawing Day! And right now – at this very moment – it’s 5 minutes past midnight. Wah, I missed it =(
@ Eva: I got the impression that the event effectively included the entire weekend … have they closed the submission link for the groups on Flickr?
Nor sure. But I’m away all day so it doesn’t matter. I’ll have to rebelliously draw on a non-drawing day!
Kristi: beautiful drawings! And once again, there’s a nice bit of text on the photo you’re showing:
The orioles are peace-loving birds, and dislike the society of those noisy, pugnacious little rascals, the English sparrows,…
:)
Fond memories of my old box of Caran d’Ache. Of course, they are easy to buy now I am an adult, but your sketch reminded me of a time when I still believed I could learn how to draw like that, and treasured my watercolor pencils dearly.
@ Eva: Every day is Drawing Day! ;-)
@ Steffi: Thanks! Some of the text in Long’s book is charmingly old-fashioned, to be sure, but much of it deserves to be arrogated or re-purposed, IMO. For example, he describes observing a Snowy Owl take his live decoy (a female Black Duck), while waiting in his duck blind, and his response to this avian effrontery is to set out more decoys (wooden ones covered with skins this time), and to blast the offending owl, stuff it, and hang it in his study. I’m contemplating how this chapter in the book might best be altered. >:-)
You can perhaps see why I have no sentimental attachments to this book that might give me pause in defacing it.
@ Heather: Although my colored pencils are top quality, my watercolor pencils are an inexpensive set that I take along while traveling or in the field. I should really get a set of Caran d’Ache.
We might be able to arrange something, she says mysteriously.
Very mysterious indeed, Heather!
I’ve declared all-out paint, pen, and colored pencil warfare on the Snowy Owl chapter of Long’s book. Will post the results of initial skirmishes soon.