Observational Leaf Drawing

Date: 9/2/10
Time: 5 minutes
Location: Studio

This leaf was the most successful sketch in my sketch journal; I feel it captured the gesture of the leaf more so than my other sketches and the small leaflets give the drawing visual interest and caused me to pay more attention to detail.

A Place for a Leaf

The Final Project

Our first assignment was to make a place for a leaf using as 12.5 x 12.5" piece of paper without using binding agents.  My first idea was to make a tree with a twisted trunk where the leaf was inserted in the top. I then realized that it was much more interesting to place the paper on its side to emphasize the twisting of the paper. Once I did this, my place for a leaf resembled a piece of driftwood. That gave me the idea to use seaweed for my leaf and twist it with the paper, since it became naturally twisted after being soaked it water and cut in thin strips. The twisting motif continues up to the "branches" of the driftwood which resemble the seaweed itself. I used white trace paper since it was easy to twist, and because of its translucency.

Revision with original leaf

Many early prototypes

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in beautiful things that other people have created, whether it be in magazines or in everyday life. This can be buildings, spaces, art, or an environment outside. I tend to feel a sense of awe or peace when observing a thing or environment that inspires me.