Pod - a still life

[Valda]

I'm wondering if you all think this photo of a tree seed pod would make a good still life painting in colored pencil. Although you can't see the details of the pod in this photo, I do have the pod itself for reference.

What do you think?

(PS: I can't remember what kind of tree this comes from but they are all over our neighborhood here in the Kansas City area - they are a real nuisance with dropping all these balls on the lawn every fall.)

[Valda]

Although I rather like the "lost in space" look to the photo, here's a closer crop.

[christine]

Valda,

I think it's interesting -- I bet the actual pod is loaded with detail we can't see. I am away on military orders for a few weeks, sure wish I was in my studio. I have a Karl Blossfield book which has several pods that look like this one. Each photo gives both the correct and common name for each photo.

If I think of it when I get back home, I'll look it up. Perhaps someone will know what it is before then.

Good luck with it! Looks like it would be a lot of fun to deal with.

[Bill C]

sweet gum tree

[cahenry]

I like it. It's simple but loaded with detail.
The botanical name for American Sweet Gum is Liquidambar styraciflua. I love the name Liquidamber.
We have quite a few large trees and subsequently tons of sweet gum balls. I have actually mulched an entire garden bed (5' x 15') with nothing but sweet gum balls in an atempt to find a good use for them besides drawing.

[Brenda]

I really like subjects like this; simple, clean and detailed. Cathy (Cahenry) did a beautiful subject (A turtle shell) all in earthy colors with a simple background and a gorgeous reflection and it was stunning. Someone else... (was it Norma?) did a brown flower with a minimal background and I really liked it.

I think it should work just fine and would like to see it when you're finished!

[Arlene]

i like the second one...the comp works better.

[Valda]

Oh, yes, Sweetgum..... I knew that!!! :D

Cathy - Liquidamber - may work for a title?

Brenda - so there's hope, compositionally? I'll post a WIP when (I'll not say "if") I get to this.

Arlene - I agree with you. In addition, there are two advantages to the closer crop 1. can make the pod larger and, therefore, more detailed, and 2. less boring background to fill in (which is a big plus!)

Thanks for commenting.

Valda

[Norma69]

Valda - Don't know diddley about composition, but I love your choice - should make a very interesting piece of work - I hope you do it!

Norma

[Debee]

Oh yes the simplicity and intricacy of the seed pod are like a yeng yang thing. I vote for the crop too. Go for it!

[Valda]

Okay, the crop is it.

I've been playing around with colors in PhotoShop and think I've decided on blue and orange (complements, of course). My skill at re-coloring the pod was not too good, but I think you can see what I'm thinking of.

[christine]

Valda,

I like the color choices a lot -- looking forward to seeing this one throughout the various stages

Christine

[Brenda]

Oooooo... I like!

[Valda]

Glad you like it.

Now for the hard part.... getting started.

Thanks for looking at this and commenting.

Valda

[ex-limey]

Hi Valda! Sometimes simple things make the best paintings. :) I'me glad to hear that I'me not the only one who thinks getting started is the hard part!:D

Jean.:bye1: :bye1:

[Angela]

Valda,
If anyone can do it . . . you can!

[Arlene]

on my monitor it looks more purple and yellows but either will work very well. i like your choice.

[Bill C]

Follow this link to see Valda's WIP;

http://www.scribbletalk.com/showthread.php?t=2093