Fatsia japonica leaf

After I finished the seed pods study, I decided to put the finishing touches to a watercolour drawing which had been languishing, mostly ignored for more than a year. I started the initial sketch in a botanical workshop I attended in March 2009, working intermittently at it until nearly finished - and stopping!

I find watercolour quite a challenging medium, and I wasn't entirely sure about the result of my efforts. It's amazing what time can do for your perspective isn't it! When I looked at the drawing again the other day after many months, I was quite matter of fact about what needed to be done - it really was just a matter of tidying up a few edges, placing my signature in an appropriate place and that was that! At least I think...

The leaf is a Fatsia japonica and had been lying in the garden for a week before I picked it up. It was yellow and starting to wither and brown when I began the study. It is such a beautiful shape and I was intrigued by the changes in colour and texture, very much wanting to capture these effects on paper...

Image Copyright Denise I Ryan 2009

                                                                                               

"Fatsia japonica leaf studies"

Watercolour on Arches paper

Copyright Denise I Ryan 2009-2010