Rhododendron

[eller]

North Germany's weirdest invasive species. Bremen has the world's largest rhododendron collection, which is a quite fascinating scientific project (it's not just a very pretty garden - though it is - but also a gene bank and everything, so, the 3000 species of rhododendron are not purely there for decorative reasons) but does horrible things to the local ecosystem. When I was a kid, people were like, "oh, we'll plant rhododendron because the bugs won't eat it". This used to be correct, except these days, we don't just get all the invasive bugs that come with what's essentially a monoculture of invasive bushes, but also, some local bug species have evolved to eat rhododendron. I've seen a maybug eat a rhododendron leaf, and you have no idea how weird that is! (Evolution in progress, I suppose.) Anyway, whatever I may think about the ecological impact of this weird gardening project, the view in spring is spectacular. They also have other plants (including some really fascinating ones) and I enjoy going there with my sketchbook and colors! So, uh, have some rhododendron...



...I have to admit I have no idea which of the 3000 species it is. Theoretically, all their plants are properly labeled, so, the bush should have had a tag somewhere with its name, except of course it was not visible because all those leaves get in the way. Some Rhododendron it is. ;)

Materials I used:
Stillman&Birn Zeta Series sketchbook (270 g/m²)
Watercolors: Turner Permanent Lemon (PY109), ROSA Gallery Magenta Rose (PR122), Mijello Bamboo Green (PG36), Daniel Smith Jadeite Genuine, Holbein Shadow Green (PBk31)
White gel pen (Pentel)

Comments

[amberdreams]

A very convincing Rhododendron - those leaves really have that waxy look.

[eller]

Yes... I was not sure at first how to render that, but then I discovered that scribbling with a white gel pen over the watercolor layers and immediately smudging it with a damp paintbrush gets exactly this effect.

[wayfaringwordhack]

That's a big park.

Nice rendition you achieved!

I have never been that into sketchbooks--been afraid of them because I didn't want to "mess it up"--but I have decided I am over that and am thinking I need a better quality than the cheap sketchpads I have been purchasing. I have heard good things about the Stillman&Birn products. Do you recommend it?

[eller]

Thank you! :) Yes, that's a big micro ecosystem park.

Oh, the Stillman&Birn products are good. They are also vastly overpriced - the sketchbook I'm currently using was a gift (like most of my art materials in daily use) and it's a perfectly fine hot-pressed watercolor paper. Like... I have no complaints. It works fine for my purposes! It's just that some other companies produce very similar paper for a significantly lower price. Like... For example, the Hahnemühle Harmony hot pressed is indistinguishable (!) from this product. Honestly, if you're into hot-pressed (very smooth) watercolor paper, the nuances between different professional brands are not all that significant if you ask me. They are, of course, vastly better than 'student-grade' paper from the supermarket, but as long as you get artist quality (acid free and at least 300 gsm) you can't really go wrong. :)

[wayfaringwordhack]

Thanks so much. If I had a lot of time and a guillotine, I would actually love to make my own sketchbooks. Alas. :P Still, someday I might try.

[eller]

I tried that, but, uh, I'm not very good at it. XD Presumably, I could learn if I did it more often, but I'm lacking time for my numerous hobbies as is, so... Not happening. ^^°

[wayfaringwordhack]

Time is indeed a most precious resource, and one that is often seriously lacking for those with a creativity bent and curious mind. :D