Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise - Two Sketches - Watercolor, pencil, ink - 8.5 x 11 in.

Although they look simple to draw, flowers are more complex than they appear. I drew two sketches of this one because I wasn't satisfied with the length of the neck and the angle of the stalk in the first drawing.

Such considerations are of little importance to many artists, often because they are more interested in expressing their own feelings about flowers rather than the flower itself. I envy them and their approach, but I'm more interested in honoring the shape and proportions.

The colors, however, are another matter. Nature is a much more expressive artist than we are, so we just keep learning and working and hope for the best.

Want more sketches? Use the links below to browse the previous posts in this #steemexclusive series, always shared only on WOX. Special thanks to @stef1 for the idea.

1. José
2. Monforte Gardens
3. Siena Sketch
4. Room Study
5. My Friend Manolo
6. Calle de Caballeros
7. Bridge Sketch
8. Tim, a sketch from my book
9. Iceland Sketch
10. Shopping Sketch
11. Holbrooke Hotel Bar
12. Chandelier
13. Passengers to Portland
14. Gladiolus
15. Weston
16. Madrid Estanque
17. Travelers, anywhere
18. Helicopter
19. Sketch for a Gift
20. Sketches of Sculptures
21. Dragon
22. Self Portrait
23. Monster
24. Retiro, Madrid
25. Pomegranates
26. Waiting Room
27. Street Corner
28. Irish Beach Sketches
29. Canyon Sketch
30. Street Corner
31. Daphne Sketch
32. Jockey Street
33. Weston
34. Eagle and Volcano
35. A Patient Patient
36. Drawing in Lugano
37. Pétanque

More images on my website: johnmichaelkeating.com