Edith writes in her July diary:
1. Fine, but dull, with breeze from the northwest. . . .
7. Cycled to Knowle, through Widney. The hedges are a tangle of wild flowers now.....
In the DVD series I am watching Edith draws a bee skep while in Knowle, which I came across in the Country Diary engagement calendar. I drew it during my practice time in my journal one morning. . . .
Her July watercolors fill 13 pages! The story this month in the DVD series Edith spends much of the time biking down country lanes and walking through fields of wild flowers with two of her sisters. She is also illustrating pamphlets for the crusade to end the hunting of foxes and pigeons. There is a scene where a dog is found caught in a trap which was very unsettling because it looked so realistic! I was ready to join Edith's crusade! At the end of this episode she receives a letter from Frederick Smith who hopes to visit her in August. However, she has already planned to spend the month in Scotland, so writes him back to say she will not be available.
In Edith's biography I am reading about her Easter visit in 1906 on Dartmoor where she continued her close friendship with the Trathens. While there she writes, "In the afternoon I went up on the moor to bring home a pony and foal. Both are delightfully picturesque in their shaggy winter coats and I hope to begin their portraits tomorrow morning."
This is my rendition of Edith's drawing. . . .
Ragged Robin's Nature Notes, Part 4, takes you through local villages and down lanes that Edith would have walked on her nature walks. There are some very lovely photographs of the lanes and countryside.
Bunny Mummy's July post highlight's Edith's 1905 diary. This month she has lots of wild flowers.
Because I visited a Butterfly habitat this week (did you see my I Come in the Little Things posts?) I chose a picture with butterflies this month from the myriad of drawings for July. First I drew a pencil sketch of the butterflies fluttering around Purple Tufted Vetch on my drawing pad. . . .
Then I drew it again on watercolor paper and painted it with watercolor paints and a fine brown pen. . . .
While I was drawing, a butterfly outside my window caught my eye. Can you see it on the Hosta. . . .
Also this month I sketched in my journal a scene from each chapter of Gabriel's Tale, a children's story I wrote a few years ago. Here is Chapter 2. . . .
I was not pleased with any of the other ones so that is why you are not seeing them. Frankly, I was very discouraged. Drawing from real life and/or my imagination is not coming easily. The only way I'm going to reach that dream is to keep trying despite the results. I do feel I have the talent, but it is buried deep inside. Maybe I have to draw one picture 100 times in order to "dig" it up. Then one day I'll pick up my pencil and discover it on my page!
.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!
Cathy, I admire your desire and hard work toward your goal of drawing your own illustrations for your writings. I think we can all say we see great improvement in your work. You have the key ingredient for success---You want it! I truly believe that is what separates those who want from those who do!! Thank you for sharing your honest journey. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement to keep at it, Martha Ellen. ❤️
DeleteI think your quite talented Cathy, keep at it. You never know where it will take you:-)
ReplyDelete~Suzanne
Thank you, Suzanne. I have a long way to go, but once I get there I know I'll be exactly where I want to be!
DeleteThe July picture you copied was a real delight, beautiful. Don't be disheartened you have a real talent that needs to be focused from 2D copying from a book to 3D. Look at some of the youtube art classes they may help, you will succeed in the end. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, mamas mercantile. I have looked at a few tutorials but need to make it a regular thing, like this monthly posting! That seems to be the only way I can motivate myself to do the work.
DeleteSuch beautiful drawings Cathy.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe if you want to do something you will do it, that is what I say to myself & the children.
I am so late catching up with so many blogs, our Summer is so busy.
Fondly Michelle
Thank you, Michelle. I agree! So I don't understand why I don't practice more! It must be my impatient nature. Once I conceive an idea I'm ready to implement it. The fact that my brain and my hand aren't on the same page (pun intended 😊) isn't something I counted on. I'm hoping this year's exercise of immersing myself in Edith Holden's country diary will train me to make learning to draw a habit and it will come easily to me eventually.
DeleteI think your drawings are wonderful and I admire your dedication to it. I can't even draw stick figures, so I always admire other people who can draw well!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Patricia. Thank you! But I must tell you, that is how I felt up until 1997 when after writing my first story about Poetry the Calico Cat I drew her, a snowman, and a dog as I wrote about them. When I tried to get my stories published I included my drawings on the letterhead. I received rejection after rejection but one Editor wanted me to send them my drawings! I never responded because what she'd seen on the letterhead was ALL my drawings. That's why I know somewhere I have the ability if I can just unearth it. You may be surprised at what you can do. For me, my characters wanted to be seen as well as heard. If you really wish you could draw, find an artist you admire and try to copy her. My best drawings are the ones I copied out of Tasha Tudor's sketch book. Next year I plan to immerse myself in her drawings and see where that takes me. 😊
DeleteCathy I so admire your determination to keep at it, though I think you are already quite an amazing artist. I would think drawing from a picture inside my head would be so hard, and probably as you say. doing it again and again is the key to success. That's true in many areas of life. I hope you have a pleasant weekend!
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you, Dotsie. But I must be careful not to "rest on my laurels" or else I'll not trying to get better at it!
DeleteCathy (you are so cute and sweet)!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the ladies above!! You are talented!! You need to give yourself permission to like what you draw and paint, and go with the JOY of it!! When you like what you do, a passion begins, and then that is what becomes contagious to others! I find that same concept in the music I play. I never thought I was good enough especially when playing in the room with an extremely good lead guitarist! I usually only use three cords but some how I adapted my own style, and my enthusiasm for the music and all gained me a reputation that was bewildering!!
My Hubby is a preacher and he found the same thing, he often became intimidated by a sermon on radio or such and one day he realized that God uses him in his own uniqueness and, again,that joyous enthusiasm is contagious! :-D
I can't wait to see the book that is waiting inside of you!!! :-)
Sending warmth and love, many blessings, Linnie
Linnie, I LOVE your drawings of Tasha Tudor's house and have set about copying them. 😊 So far I've drawn her stove and the grandfather's clock--from your drawings. They're not too bad, but not as good as yours. I agree about the enthusiasm. Confidence is not something I was born with, so I need to grow that along with my talent or else I know I won't get very far. It was easy to do when I sang in church because I knew Who I was really singing for. Drawing is another matter since, so far, it's for my own pleasure--but I have such high standards for myself (I'm a "recovering" perfectionist) that I get discouraged too easily!
DeleteCathy, my goodness ... you NAILED the July sketch; excellent! Your frustration with drawing an image from real life or imagination is SO familiar to me; I had hoped that 2D art class I took years ago would teach me how to do that. Your comment about drawing one picture 100 times may be a sound technique. In my class we placed a large sketch pad on an easel, stood an arm's length away from it, and began sketching quickly & loosely; after several pages of drawing the same image, I remember something 'clicked' and I achieved the result I was trying for. You are progressing beautifully; keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. This is very good to hear! I'm going to find a drawing pad just for this purpose and set about drawing a Westie first, then a cat, until I get what I'm "seeing" in my mind's eye.
DeleteI should have added that we were actually looking at an object in class; I still haven't been able to transfer an image in my mind to paper ... {{sigh}}
DeleteSharon, at least I have my cat and dog for models! Although, the cat usually won't stay put. I've started taking photos of her on my iPhone so I can draw from that.
DeleteHi Cathy. It's always a blessing to read your journal. I so enjoyed seeing your lovely drawings. The butterfly watercolor you did is amazing; such fine detail. You are extremely talented and an inspiration to others. My best wishes to you, Pat xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat. Butterflies are actually easy to do because they don't look "real" to begin with--their markings are easy to copy! It's flowers and leaves that have different shading and texture that is hard to capture.
DeleteCathy, I wonder if it is easier for you to draw what actually has a story that touches your heart rather than just a static scene or an object. When you are drawn into the book and the videos and your own stories, it seems to draw out the talent within you. I know you said you drew Gabriel from the story you wrote... were you as immersed in the story and the wonder of your pet or was it an exercise?
ReplyDeleteI 'm having a bit of trouble explaining myself, but I know there is a difference in the things I create because in my mind, I am telling a story from my heart, rather than things I just make... Might this be true for you?
I agree, Elaine. But I'm still having trouble illustrating Gabriel's Tale and it is VERY dear to my heart. But because of that, it will keep me trying.
DeleteCathy, what is your ultimate goal is when it comes to drawing and painting. Do you want to create original art, or are you happier putting your own particular spin on drawings you admire from other people? Maybe both? Which could be even better. In either case - even though you THINK you're not patient, I think you are very patient and methodical, since you continue to work diligently at it, and are always evaluating your progress. It's a very scientific way to go about it, really. A scientist always steps back and examines the results of his experiment. I think you could be right about repeated a drawing 100 times or until something just clicks - that just rings true to me. Think of how many times Thomas Edison fiddled around with that darn light bulb in his lab - until he got what he KNEW was "gettable." In essence, you're doing research on your drawing - and remember what Einstein said. "If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..." I'm sure at some point Gabriel's book will just swim right up to you, and you'll be wondering "How did I EVER think this was hard?" LOL. Take care, have a great weekend, and talk to you soon.
ReplyDeleteJanet, I'm counting on it--the swimming up to me part! I want to be able to illustrate the children's stories I write and to illustrate journals--I keep a garden journal, a daily journal, and a What-we-served-guests journal. I'd also love to keep a travel journal--now my travel journals are this Web Journal and my photo albums.
DeleteA hospitality journal - what a great idea! I know they keep these kind of records at the White House and Buckingham Palace, but I think it would be so interesting to read and see a journal of this type kept by "regular folks." I read somewhere that Jackie Kennedy did this at her various homes because she didn't want to unwittingly serve, for example, asparagus with Hollandaise sauce to the dinner guest 3 visits in a row. Sounds like something that's not only considerate, and useful - but so much fun to read over years later. And the illustrations make it even better.
DeleteJanet, that's exactly why I keep a journal of what I serve my guests. 😊
DeleteYour pictures are delightful , I wish I had your talent! I always think my drawing will better than it is and have now turned to phtography instead. We have been wandering amongst the wild flowers and butterflies this week and have also been down to Dartmoor so your post is so topical! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteSarah, maybe you're too hard on yourself. Everyone thinks my paintings are better than I do! :-)
DeleteLike others before me have said in the comments, your drawings are terrific! If i could sketch even a fraction as good as you do I would feel quite pleased with myself. The drawing from your imagination and real life will come. Just give it time. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kristie. Try drawing from someone else's pencil sketch upside down. The sketch--not you! Turn theirs upside down and draw it the way you see it, then turn your drawing right side up--you may amaze yourself!
DeleteOh, I know it is a sin, but I truly envy your ability to draw so beautifully. While I enjoy pushing many forms of colour around a piece of paper, that skill of reproducing a recognised form elude me {except when using charcoal on A1 sheets!}
ReplyDeleteI note, with interest, some things still have not changed, and the protests against the hunt continue still. I wonder how dear Edith would feel?
Deb, I felt the same way about my ability to draw. And then one day I had a breakthrough. Confidence has been a big factor in getting me to put the pencil to the paper and attempt it. I erase a lot and get frustrated, so you have to be able to keep yourself from quitting. I've had to do this on my own. When I took classes, I DID quit, and that made it worse to try again (because of the money I wasted by not returning to the classes). So I figured if I try now it's not costing me anything at least.
DeleteThanks so very much for the mention. I am so glad you are enjoying my Country Diary posts. I have really enjoyed your blog posting on Edith and loved the water colour you produced :) Sorry for not getting back to you sooner but I have had computer problems.
ReplyDeleteI will be reading your earlier posts on the Country Diary. Its a lovely project of yours.
Thanks for dropping in and liking my post. And thank you again for yours! They add another, much-needed, dimension to mine.
DeleteI've been away and missed many posts. It is good to see you continue in your art studies. Practice, practice, practice and enjoy each moment as you grow with the art. Are you becoming more comfortable with your paints? You seem to be. I agree with Martha that stick-to-it-ness will pay off. Here's to the journey! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI did a little more free hand painting this time, not needing to draw every detail first. Thanks!
Delete