It is not growing like a tree
in bulk doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere,
A lily of a day
is fairer in May
Although it fall and die that night,
It was the plant of flower and light,
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures, life may perfect be.
-Benjamin Johnson
in bulk doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald, and sere,
A lily of a day
is fairer in May
Although it fall and die that night,
It was the plant of flower and light,
In small proportions we just beauties see;
And in short measures, life may perfect be.
-Benjamin Johnson
Hahnemuhle & Bockingford watercolour blocks, pigment liner and watercolour
©A Davies
37 comments:
STUNNING, Anita -- both of them!! I'm crazy about lines in watercolor -- and this is magnificent!
Lin is absolutely right- your lilies ARE absolutely stunning! I wish I could do that!!!
Stunning!
Out of interest, do you use hot-pressed paper?
Lovely Lilies! These are great. I like the contrast of the two different drawings.
I love them both but the one without the colouring is my favourite....great depth and detail! Did you use a pigment liner for that one too, Anita?
Thankyou so much Lin!
Thankyou Mociehocie!
Thanx Natalie!
The pen drawing is on Hahnemuhle HP paper. I've had this block in my art stack for sometime now and didn't like it much for watercolour when I tried it some time back. It's ideal for pen though.
The watercolour is on Bockingford NOT 200lb paper...My favourite paper.
Thankyou Deborah!
Thanx Serena!
Yes, the drawing is pigment liner.
In the cold light of morning, I see the watercolour hasn't scanned too well here, one petal has no colour at all...That isn't so on the actual piece. The block is 11x15", even though the painting is smaller, so it didn't fit in the scanner. I guess some of the mid tones were lost in transaction.
These are breathtaking!
Oh, these flowers are so beautiful! You did a wonderful job with the white lilies. I always find it hard to do white flowers justice but you did them to perfection!
Thankyou so much Casey!
Thankyou Joan. I like to paint whites, it's the yellows I'm not fond of.
Wow, these are gorgeous! I have the exact same kind of lilies on our kitchen table right now, painted one a few days ago. They are lovely, and you have captured them extremely well. Love the composition of your images as well.
Beautiful! What a coincidence - I've been on a lily kick too, the past week. Fortunately my Ely market lilies are lasting longer than Ben Johnson's ... I can see his point, and it's eloquently made, but I prefer mine to give me value for money ... ;-)
Hope to see you on Saturday! x
Beautiful, delicate work.
I loved the pen version at WetCanvas but now I see the watercolour, I'm besotted. Lovely everything!
the watercolor is totally awesome! I can get my nose into that lily!!!
Oh Anita - they've all said it... just lovely work, Jules
Wow - these really are both just beautiful!
these are both just gorgeous...lovely flowers
WOW. Both of these are amazing! I don't know which I like best, they are each so different. Both gorgeous!
Thankyou Nina. They are gorgeous but their scent is overwhelming, which is why I have them...My Mum was gifted them for her Birthday and then realised it was the cause of her nightly headaches!
Great minds E-J! ;)
Ben Johnson?....See you Saturday!
Thankyou Dave!
LOL...Thanx Marta!
Thankyou so much Jules!
Thankyou Linda!
Thankyou Margaret. They are such a sensual flower.
Thankyou Laser.
Lovely work Anita.
Thankyou Andrea!
I've probably already said this before, but, you are so talented! That top one! Oh my. Beautiful line variation and the curves! I loike the watercolor, too, but that b&w is just gorgeous.
Thankyou so much for your kind words Phthaloblu.
I have been looking at lots of your sketches, which are all interesting, but this sketch of lilies is just lovely. Oh my. So elegant.
Sherry, thankyou so much for taking time to browse my blog I am so pleased you enjoyed your time here and left your kind words.
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