I see this cactus everytime I go down a certain road and finally did a sketch. This is a Saguaro with multi-arms. It seems to me I see these many-armed Saguaros more in the wild. All the black spots are probably nesting holes for birds although some are just bad spots from birds pecking at them.I did the initial sketch in ink and was tempted to leave it that way but I just couldn't.
I just had to add color.
Then I had to invert the color and am still so amazed at the result.Happy Cactus Monday!
23 comments:
Happy Cactus Monday Teri!
Thanks for your humorous story about this cactus, especially the bad spots from birds' peck.
I love all three illustration here but I love the green one the most.
I agree with you Teri that you must colour the cactus!
So now, you have three beautiful version for our viewing peasure
The poor cactus. It looks like it has had a rough life. You certainly gave it new life with your sketches. Those inversions give such startling color to projects. Fun.
I can't tell which I like better- the ink sketch or the added color. They are both superb and I'm glad to see both. You do wonderful ink work.
HCM!!
Love your sketch, and adding color was the perfect touch.
You have such fun with your art Teri. Tell me again what program you use to do the third purple shot of color? You teach me so much and I appreciate it all.
Well, this is my favorite cactus of your so far! I love the multi arms...I love it in black and white (nice shading!)...and I love it even more in color! The gradient shading on the base is wonderful showing the yellowness.
I'm not crazy about the flipped one although it's always fun seeing it done. I think flipping works best in zentangles or designs :)
Happy cactus Monday!
you know me, i love all three. hcm fellow cactuteer and 'chair.
I so look forward to Cactus Monday!
An outstanding illustration Teri...tha's why it is so striking in each version. I have been getting cases of "flipitis" recently too...it's such a kick...isn't it? :)
Wonderful detail work...HAppy Cactus Monday Fellow Cacuteer! :)
Wonderful illustration Teri in all its versions. I am so jealous you are in such a warm part of the world and see these cactus growing so tall in the wild. Thanks for your zentangle comment - I read through your zentangle post and was whowed by it - loved the one that had no determined outer shape which reminded me of a lacy kite flying free as a bird. It just goes to show they can be any shape and content. Gives me more ideas !!!
Those are beautiful. I think they are the best cactus you've ever done.
Great illustrations. Love watching what's next on Cactus Monday. Like the green one best.
Jean
I love your cactus, but arent the bird holes bad for the life of the cactus? Is this a painting of the death of a cactus?
Actually Desiree, the cactus develops what is called a boot (it kind of seals off the hole) so the nest hole does not harm the cactus. Of course lots of holes are not a good thing.
I did a sketch of a boot a long time ago and I think it is time to post it again. Thanks.
I sure like them all, but best for me is the colored one! I like how you did the base of the cactus in the yellow color!
Happy Cactus Monday!!!
Beautiful Teri...the sketch could definitely stand alone but I really enjoy the color. Love the inversion but then I'm a color junkie especially anything with strong contrast.
These are all really fantastic Teri! very nice work!
Teri, this is a great drawing-and-then-painting.
:-) So, does that mean that this cactus is very very old? Seems like I remember you saying that it took a long time for them to begin to grow arms, and then a long time for the arms to grow. Do I remember correctly?
You remember correctly (such a smart girl), the cactus is probably quite old.
Thanks again everyone.
I really like the drawing! The one without color is my favorite it emphasizes the shape and it actually shows the age better. Wonderful!
I have spent a good 10 years wandering around in Saguaro land and I never ever saw a saguaro with this many arms. And if I had I would have spent hours photographing it!!!
We have been playing with the inverted color and will e-mail you some of the results.
Wonderful cacti!
I preposted my CM post and it worked but I was in Tehran with no internet, so hope you had a happy cactus Monday!
Post a Comment