Magnolia Seedpod: Pen and Ink Sketch in My Temporary Studio in The Bay Area

I was given a magnolia seedpod a couple of days ago while taking pen and ink classes at Filoli Gardens in the Bay Area. The alien looking seedpod is a mixture of intriguing shapes, textures and colors. I made 2 pen and ink sketches with watercolor in my 'temporary studio', which is actually the living room of the hostel during its quiet hours.

Finished sketches.

Pokeweed: Watercolor Sketch

American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana

Family: Phytolaccaceae

Genus: Phytolacca

Species: P. americana

I really like the shape and colors of pokeweed. Maybe because it's native to eastern U.S, I don't see it often. So when I saw it in the farmers market yesterday, I decided instantly that it would be my next model despite that I already have a few on-going projects.

Pokeweed is deadly toxic if eaten raw, so don't let your children or pet play with it.

I did a page of watercolor sketches and plan to draw more tomorrow.

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie

Watercolor Sketch with New Seals: Carthamus tinctorius

Lately I've been doing sketches with watercolors in order to loosen my strokes. Yesterday the new seals I ordered one month ago finally arrived with much anticipation. The one at the right says "Little Backyard", while the left one says "Hidden Paradise". I can't wait to use them on my future paintings! Today I tried them out on a watercolor sketch of safflowers. Looking great I say!

May The Bb Power Be With You,

Ellie

Ceanothus gloriosus

Ceanothus gloriosus J.T Howell
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Ceanothus
Species: C. gloriosus

A quick sketch with ink pen and watercolor.
Ceanothus gloriosus is endemic to California. Some people call the genus California Lilac. Generally they are 0.5 to 3 meters tall and burst crazily with white or purplish blue clusters of flowers in spring.

This may be the last ceanothus blossom of this year at the native plant garden of Channel Island National Park. When spring comes, there are so many flowers to draw and to paint! But this year I'm very distracted and couldn't spend too much time to study the ceanothus bushes in the CINP garden. I will have to wait for another 11 months to see the striking blue blooming again.

The most interesting part of the this ceanothus is the color of the flower. It's a purplish blue and kind of tricky to capture it right.

May The Bb Power Be With You,
Ellie

Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)

Fragaria chiloensis
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Fragaria
Species: F. chiloensis

You may see them labeled as "Pacific Beach Strawberry". This is not a native plant to the U.S, but is a common ground cover in coastal areas. I bought a 5" pot beach strawberry at Santa Barbara Botanical Garden last October. It started to bear berries in mid-March. The tiny berries are about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) in diameter and are covered with achenes. The flavor is a bit tangy and very different from commercial strawberries. I really look forward to seeing it taking over the bare patch of my backyard!
The sketch is done with ink pen and watercolor.

May The Bb Power Be With You,
Ellie