Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Tea for Mieke: EDM 69

Sometimes our kids know what we need even better than we do. My daughter was kidding around on the phone today, telling me she was sick of looking at the front porch(last post in early June), and that I needed to sit down and draw. She was more right than she knew. I have been "spring cleaning" in a way, in order to move my studio into a bigger room, yanking up old carpet, washing windows, floors, walls, and the things I'm moving as I go. It's been...mumble mumble...a long time since I really cleaned my studio equipment. (When was the last time you wiped down your electric pencil sharpener with Mr. Clean? Yeah, me too!) And I really DID need to just center, sit and draw. So here's challenge number 69, draw a beverage. The cup and saucer are from a set of six Ansley cups that my mother treasured and enjoyed using, and the silver spoons (the real kind that get hot when you stir your tea) belonged to my grandmother, very beaufiful things, and interesting to watercolor. They will go to my daughter someday. The drawing angle was off, I should have tilted up my sketchbook more to be at the right angle to my line of sight. And the ellipses are a bit "off," as are the values...white porcelain that reflects is tricky, but by and large, I'm happy with the sketch. If anyone's done reflective surfaces, and has hints, I'd love to hear them...silver, liquids, porcelain? Thanks in advance.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nel, this is superb! I love your redition of liquids and sparkle. I don't know how to help you with the silver spoon, but I like what I see. This is gorgeous! I'm thinking it would be cute on a greeting card.. you know... "I'm sitting here thinking of you" or something like that.
Well done!

Shelly McC said...

Stunning!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Ma, I love it. Not that I have anything against Front Porches, it was just time for a new view. : )

seesue said...

Aren't dgtrs great! Who better to motivate, inspire and keep us honest. Thank-you Mieke for getting your talented mom back to the drawing board.

Teri said...

Oh WOW, it's totally gorgeous!! The details or the tea, the cup, the spoon are outstandingly stunning!

Thanks to your daughter that she 'nagged' you!

Your new room sounds great, be sure to post a photo.

Anonymous said...

Nel,in spite of its many flaws (the ones you pointed out; personally, I don't see much wrong with your little painting) this is a charming piece of art. Very evocative of enjoying the moment. Keep up the good work.

Jana Bouc said...

I'm so glad you got back to drawing and posted to Everyday Matters so I could visit your site and see your lovely work!

Unknown said...

Ah... tea with Oma. Wouldn't that be fun sometimes to steal a little moment in heaven with her..even if to just hear how much you still needed to clean? I think of her often when my floor gets filthy...guess I didn't inherit such a strong version of it. I've only washed it (Shhhh) 4 times since I've moved in...ah, the beauty of tile :)

Margaret McCarthy Hunt said...

Great picture...I am almost sure thats the same china I have...Ansley famille rose?

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