[SKETCHBOOK] Gembira Loka Zoo

Yesterday, I had fun with some friends of Indonesia's Sketcher for visiting a local zoo in Yogyakarta and having live sketches of animals and plant. It was great to practise drawing live animals that kept moving and changing, a good challenge for someone who usually paint a still plant indoor.

   

[ORCHIDS] Study sketch of Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum

Trying to capture the colours of Tropical Ladys-Slipper orchid (Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum) before the flower flop. This species is endangered and endemic to East and Southwest Java (Mount Semeru) and in Central Sumatra, Indonesia.

[SKETCHBOOK] Pigeon Orchids

Yesterday, the pigeon orchids at our residence bloomed.
They smelled so good but, too bad, the flowers withered
in a day.

Since I want to make botanical artworks of Indonesian
orchids during my stay in Yogyakarta, I took this available
specimen for a rehearsal. I made a study sketch on it.
I found that I need to understand, not only how to paint,
but the plant itself. I felt ashamed that as an Indonesian
I know nothing about orchids whereas Indonesia is one
of the world's richest country of orchids species.

I hope I can manage my time between the project
and my pregnancy. *fingers crossed :)

My 2012 Resolution

I’m not used to making a new year resolution. But somehow last year I made one based on a yesteryears’ wish I couldn’t accomplish. It was to do watercolour painting again. 

Since I knew that the start is the hardest part and maintaining it is never easy, my trick is to involve other people in the process. A tip from my brother, a resolution should be told to others. A commitment will be easier to be ignored and forgiven if it was kept just by ourselves than if it was witnessed by other people. So I put myself in a watercolour course for a start and keep uploading my works at my facebook account to be seen by my friends.

 

The cherries were my first watercolour painting in early 2012 after almost a decade I let my brush dusted and my paints dried, while the oriental poppies were one of my latest botanical paintings. I feel the difference. This progress is the reward of my 2012 resolution. I am happy that it is not just a wish anymore. I feel contented that I made and kept my 2012 resolution. And I’ll still keep it.

Happy new year 2013!