Drawn: Tools of an Amateur Floral Artist

Way back in September when I renamed this blog “Drawn and Hooked” I promised that this blog would be a mix of my illustration and crochet – – only to still neglect my drawing (online at least). So here’s to putting my illustrating tardiness behind me – presenting, a little illustration I did earlier this week!

I drew this piece with an Artline Drawing System 0.3 pen and coloured it with Derwent Watercolour Pencils. The colours have been distorted a little through scanning and adjustments (something I need to work on!). I haven’t done much pen outline/watercoloured drawings – this illustration is not so much a reflection of my usual work but more so an experiment of mediums I’ve been meaning to experiment more with lately.

So why the flowers? Why the dustpan . . . and what is that green block? For this week’s illustration I thought I’d draw on (see the pun!) items from a new and recent hobby of mine – flower arranging!

About a month ago, a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to join her in signing up for a beginner Floral Art Class at our local community college. Without much hesitation I did – and now, almost half way through our “term” there have been no regrets.

On a weekly basis we now wrangle leafy branches of vibernum odoratissimum, wire Geberas with our fingers. crunch stems of  Lisianthus with our secateurs and press them firmly into floral foam (that’s the green block!).  It’s a fun yet challenging skill to be learning – I’m looking forward to when I can start putting my new skills to use for events like birthdays!

So, I hope you’ve enjoyed my first “drawn” post, as well as hearing a little about my newest hobby. What are your hobbies? How did you come across them?

Winter Wedding Part 2

On the 24th July, 2010 my friends Arlene & Michael were married at the Garrison Church in Millers Point, Sydney. The flowers I painted for them featured on the Order of Service, a lovely little book with pages sewn in with thread.

This has nothing to do with my work, but I love how the Harbour Bridge just rises out of the end of Lower Fort St when viewed from the Garrison.

At the Reception, the invitation design featured again to mark table numbers.

And on each table, for each guest as a gift from the Bride and Groom were (and what I enjoyed designing/illustrating most for the wedding!)
cook books – a compilation of recipes from selected family and friends.

It even included a recipe for the actual Wedding Cake (which was made by one of the Bride’s friends)! Below is my drawing . . .

And the real thing!

It was a lovely wedding. And a week later I received this too.

Congratulations Arlene and Michael! And thank you again for letting me be a part of your special day!

Tea for Lu

I painted this cup for my friend Angela’s 21st birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELA! xx

Winter Wedding Part 1

It’s a pleasure to finally unveil one of the freelance projects I have been working on recently – – my friends Arlene & Michael’s wedding invite and map!

The floral design I created referenced some of the flowers that will feature in bouquets and arrangements on the day (David Austin roses, freesias and sweet peas).

Arlene was looking for a sweet, simple design with a rustic feel so I produced the designs using traditional mediums  – watercolours (for the floral design) and pen and ink (for the map). For once, Photoshop was an after thought, only stepping in after the images had been scanned and needed to be prepared for printing (compositing,clean up and conversions).

This “project” has been in the works since January so it’s very satisfying to see the final product! And yet, it’s not completely over yet . . stay tuned in the coming months for more! 😉