What to choose?
This week The participants in Sally Russick's Focus on life photography project received this prompt: In Season. Since it is summer in the northeastern U.S., there is a lot of produce in season. Also random things like butterflies, thunderstorms, and street fairs.
I chose to focus on some berries growing down the road from my house. Someone obviously planted them, but nobody ever picks them! I have vowed to do just that, but the birds always beat me to it.
These are the elderberries right after a huge storm that would have knocked them off their stems had it had struck a few days later!
A view of the storm waters!
I spent a good part of the next weekend trying to do justice to the juicy reddish purple of the berries.
 |
| Colored Pencil |
 |
| Watercolor Pencil |
 |
| Watercolor Paint |
I've been trying to do a sketch every day or so, I figure I can't miss improving my technique with practice. And it's so easy, now that so many things are "In Season!"
Check out the links below to see what others have done.
I don't think I've ever seen them in person, what an extraordinary colour - easy to see as inspiration for all that sketching. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThose are pretty. I think you got the berries in the last 'drawing' What do they taste like? WOuld the rippen in the house if you picked them a few days early... ?
ReplyDeleteLots of berries getting ripe here too. Enjoyed your sketches. I should sit down and try it sometime.
ReplyDeleteThe clusters of berries look like flowers. And your sketches are even better than the real thing!
ReplyDeleteguess it is berry season! just saw Patty's post on huckleberries - ha! love all the berries this time of year
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job! I've never had elderberries. What do they taste like?
ReplyDeleteBerry season it is! Wish there were some near me - they look so pretty - almost too pretty to eat! And your sketch - lovely!!
ReplyDeleteIt has been a poor season for berries her in northern New Brunswick, Beti. Did you get any hail with your summer storms? That was one seasonal surprise we received her this past week!
ReplyDeleteTo answer some of the questions my wonderful commenters asked: elderberries have a kind of astringent flavor raw, I don't thing many people eat them that way. We have mad jelly out of them and many people make them into wine. I think the native people dried them, and somewhere in the back of my mine I think I heard of elderberry pie. But jams and jelly, and the famous wine are the most popular ways of using them.
ReplyDeleteWe were spared some of the worst of the storms, we had some flooding in the area, but no hail, so fruits and berries are doing great!
I've never seen or eaten elderberries but they sure are beautiful! Love your photos and esepecially your colored sketches.
ReplyDeleteOh, elderberry - that's something I haven't seen in a long time. Or I can't recognize the edible ones from non-edible :) Gorgeous - both the pictures and your paintings/drawings!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever seen elderberries in person. Love your sketches.
ReplyDeleteyou're a tad ahead of us - our elderberries are yet to form, but they're a favourite when they do!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your berry artwork :)
thanks for stopping by already - the weekend just got away from me, and it's already Monday afternoon - eeek!!!
Elderberries? I am not familiar with them. I think that is so great that someone planted them nearby and that you can now enjoy them! Your sketch and watercolor pencil rendering is BEAUTIFUL! You are talented in many ways, Beti!
ReplyDelete