Using unconventional material

As you can see I have used another material, what makes it unconventional is that I have used real butterfly wings. Of course I did not kill them, a spider did that for me, these whet just little trials but I think it came out good

The Magic of Roots, The story of my endangered leafless orchid

If your to go to Africa you will se many orchids, from ones that live on the ground, to ones that are growing on trees, an example of one is on the island of Madagascar the christmas star orchid,  Agraecum sequipedale, well known for its long spur which contains nectar, and its incredible pollinator with a proboscis just as long. Now back my leafless orchid, its one most will overlook, with its tiny flowers,  and a complete lack of leaves, it is an endangered orchid from Africa, it goes by the name of Microcoelia exilis. The funny thing is, it's related to the larger Agraecum sequipedale. Very easy to grow and surprisingly it still thrives, even though i don't water it every day, if anyone has the chance to buy and grow, then give it a go because of its ease of growing. Though its not that readily available, I got mine from a nursery here in Australia 

an old one but a good one :D

This was one of my first orchids. Its Paphiopedilum 'honey', beautiful flower, the centre part, (have no idea what it is called hahah), is very striking with its apple green colour. Hope you enjoy. This was the flower that was on it when I brought it last year, still waiting for it to flower again :D

Podangis dactyloceras

An amazing orchid with very small white flowers too me I see a albino frilled neck lizard but you might see something else it's leaves form a fan of leaves

Shading

Shading is such a simple technique when drawing,but you can achieve so much doing it, building up the tone by adding layers of pencil is a good way to get the darker area. Shade makes the image look 3D an realistic. You can see in this image how the shading is used to make make it look 3D

introduction, the beginning

Its an usual obsession, people have grown them for years. Now most of us think of the ones brought commonly at florists, food stores and hardware stores, there is much more than that, as a young enthusiast and artist who draws orchid blooms, its like a feast, where ever you look in books and websites there are explosions of colour, shape, form which inspires me to grow, and draw them. There is a real satisfaction watching a plant that you have grown and seeing it flower. There is never  time where the colour and shape of the flowers wont inspire me. I'm not just a botanical artist i also like to draw birds and other animals. as a young orchid enthusiast and artist I want to inspire and encourage another generation as well as share stories of my love and interest in orchids and art.this is not just for young enthusiasts its for everyone who enjoys orchids and art.

Ryan Craig