interpretations
“The material memories are not usually part of what is said about a picture, and that is a fault in interpretation because every painting captures a certain resistance of paint, a prodding gesture of the brush, a speed and insistence in the face of mindless matter…” -James Elkins
Here I depicted the same subject with different media: watercolor and graphite. It seems like these tulips have really tickled my fancy—I haven’t been this inspired by one subject in a long time. I used to wonder why artists would spend so much energy working on a series of paintings on just one thing. But there really are so many new things to see in these tulips, especially as they age each day.
The watercolor version is super loose and not at all like the graphite version. 
You can see the paint splotches where I went fast and did not let things dry properly. It was fun and I wish I painted like this more often. When drawing with graphite, I always feel under pressure to make my drawings technically accurate. The amount of detail that I can achieve with pencils is way more than anything I can do with watercolor (although I am trying to get to the same level in both). In the graphite sketch I only used my eraser once or twice and I didn’t use any kind of blending tool at all. I have a hard time making myself draw like this because I always want it to be “perfect.” I need to loosen up!
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There is a charmingness about doing things loosely and there is a charmingness about beautifully blended graphite renderings—You’ve succeeded so well at both! I wish I too could ‘be more relaxed’ and let go of perfectionism … but for me, I want folks to RECOGNIZE what they’re viewing! LOL I LOVE BOTH of these!
Thank you Lin!
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Your drawings might not be perfect (like every other artist’s opus), but they are “perfectly” beautiful, and ALWAYS so! So please do loosen up, and keep treating our eyes to as much of your artwork as you can create without worrying too much about not improving fast enough! Enjoy what you’re doing, and just keep doing your best!
We are kindred spirits then, Carolyn. I too constantly battle with trying to loosen up. I can understand your disposition towards the technically accurate drawings. :o) But loose is a lot of fun. :o) I really like your water colour tulip. It looks more alive than the graphite version. Perhaps what I am responding to is the spontaneity in this version. I’m enjoying your series. Keep up the good work!
awersome drawings!