The most important step in developing a small group of pebbles is to find a good composition. Nature appears very random at first glance. To discover a 'jewel' I need to practice patience and perseverance. After finding a good composition, I then begin adjusting values and colors. Rendering the drawing is really the icing on the cake.
Click here for the step-by-step of this artwork: River Pebbles, No. 12
6 comments
Marilyn Montgomery
June 03, 2014
Esther, here’s what I’d really like to know : How do you set up those stones in your studio? And how do you keep them looking so wet and shiny?
I am in Scotland now, on a nature, art, and photography trip. I picked up some beautiful rocks from a stream. They aren’t like yours, they are sharp edged, and warm color range. But. When they’re dry they lose a lot of color. I’ve already tried to paint them in the hotel room, with watercolor pencils.
So I’d like to hear about your set up, or is it a photograph from nature?
I enjoy your blogs and I admire your work very much. M
Ester Roi
June 03, 2014
Hi Marilyn, thank you very much!
I work either from a still life or from photo references I take on outings. The example above is of a photo I took of a riverbed.
The pebbles need to be smooth to reflect the light well – if they’re jagged or have too much texture the light gets scattered in too many different directions.
I set up my still life by placing the pebbles that I collect from my trips in a bowl full of water. Then I take a lot of pictures and work from them.
I try to select pebbles from different color ranges but I usually end up changing the colors as I’m drawing.
I hope this helps. :)
Marilyn Momtgomerh
June 03, 2014
Hi Esther, thanks, that does help. Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture of the river bed, but it was mainly covered by kelp anyway. Yesterday at a ceramic studio I saw where the artist had incorporated rocks into his works and coated them with glass. They were shiny. I’ll try submerging mine in water, setting up a composition and photographing it. One of the rocks is smooth and round, the others have flat sides. I’ll take a picture and send to you. I found then on Isle of Skye and now we are on Isle of Lewis and Harris. Very lovely and lots of artists here.
M
Ester Roi
June 05, 2014
Looking forward to seeing your picture, Marilyn! :)
Marilyn
June 05, 2014
Actually when I think about it must not have been a river bed where I found my rocks, but a sort of estuary from the ocean. The kelps are a sea plant. Since then I have photographed several river beds, and thinking about how I will set up my rocks at home. They are red,green, gold,and brown, even some indigo and purple hues…must be full of minerals. M
Ester Roi
June 05, 2014
Sounds like you have some nice rocks, Marilyn, and when they will be wet their colors will be enhanced a great deal. :)