Spent (This Time in Oils)

Who knew that a dandelion gone to seed could be beautiful?  Certainly not a city dweller!  But in the land of no lawns, dandelions are just part of the landscape.  Along with those astounding purple thistles (which I have reference pics of, but so far am too chicken to paint!).  And loco weed, which I think ranchers hate, but I love.  The definition of a "weed" is definitely loose where I live!

How many tiny white lines do you paint when you're trying to communicate a dandelion seed?  I don't know!!  I just decided it was time to stop!

Spent

I've had this pic of a half-spent dandelion forever, it seems....always intending to paint it....always intimidated by all those tiny white lines.  Well here's the beginning sketch.  The black lines here will be white lines in the painting.  I'm still intimidated.  But if I never try, then I fail.  Period.

On a side note, I used my colored pencils to embellish this sketch.  Of course, they needed sharpening, and I found myself missing my old-fashioned hand-crank pencil sharpener.  I know I have it somewhere...in a box, no doubt.  It needs to be resurrected, because this electric pencil sharpener is severely LACKING.  I don't know what it is.  The pencils get sharp.  But that whirring sound...and having to just hold the pencil still with just the right amount of pressure....it just doesn't compare with the cool hand-crank sound, the feel of spinning that handle around and around...and the smell!  Freshly sharpened pencils smell WONDERFUL, and the electric sharpener doesn't seem to have it.