Pencil drawing of Yew

[@knitntea1672]

Love your commentary while you’re working! It is very helpful to hear you talk about why you are doing what you’re doing. To hear the thought process helps me to realize what kind of things I might need to think about while drawing. Thank you so much!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You are so welcome! And yes, I think hearing other peoples approach can be useful. I learn lots form hearing other people explain their processes. Really glad it works for you, too. x

[@creativecolours2022]

What helped me to draw very accurately was Kimon Nikolaides book on the The Natural Way to Draw. He suggests to observe more the subject and train your hand to follow your eye without looking what much on what you do on the paper. It is a very interesting read and it helped me the most though at the beginning when I've start practicing his method, I was drawing smudges... lol He suggests also to pay attention on both the negative spaces and the fluidity of the lines. To figure out what is the lines of the shape that you want to draw and do this with one stroke every time. The Factis eraser is fantastic. Very soft and smooth on the paper.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

This is all brilliant advice. So hard to encourage people to not worry about what appears on the page. Some people are really lucky and their lines are fluid from the start, but Id agree entirely, a fluid line is a neccessity. And negative space is so dreamy when you get stuck! I think Ive read this years ago, but need to look out a copy and revisit it. From what you say, he's really got his finger on the right way to encourage people to enjoy and experiment with drawing. Thanks for the comment.

[@chaosinca]

Thank you very much for your videos Lizzie! I listen and watch while I'm painting so don't really comment, but I love your vids and your work. I especially love how long they are, thanks again 😊

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You are so welcome! And I'm so relieved to hear you like them being long. Sometimes I think you must all be rolling your eyes and going, "get on with it!" Thankyou x

[@creativecolours2022]

Here is some mythology about Yew that is a poisonous plant ( Lizzy I hope that you washed your hands after touching it) Yew was dedicated to Erinyes that were the ancient Greek deities of vengeance. So Erinyes punished bad people with yew poison. The goddess Artemis used yew poison on her arrows and with these arrows she killed Niobe's children!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

OOh I didnt know that! About Artemis killing Niobe. How dark and fabulous. Thankyou!

[@deborahgoodwin3426]

I truly enjoyed watching you draw the yes. I am so inspired by your patient and deliberate attention to each and every detail. As I watch your technique, it reminds me so much to keep my eyes on my subject 80% of the time and much less use of my eraser. Thanks ever so much for sharing another fabulous tutorial and also for the wonderful information about the yew!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Awww thanks you Deborah. And glad to hear about the seeing/ drawing ratio. And about the eraser! So glad you like the film. x

[@violetsands]

That is a cracking top that you are wearing - i love the bling! I have to say that everytime i watch one of your vlogs, whether it is drawing or painting, i am inspired to get my pencil and paints out. Although i trained as a ceramicist, i have found great joy in botanical drawing and watercolour. Thank you for sharing your tips and the great advice, I could watch and listen to you for hours.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Tash, that's great to hear. And Im so pleased you approve of the sequins. Always important to sparkle! I love the idea that a ceramacist is inclined to pick up a pencil. I'm terrified of all things 3D, I do like a flat world! But thats so lovely that you enjoy both disciplines, I find it really impresssive. Glad you like the films! x

[@SuzanneLegault]

Thank you for showing a real-time drawing. I'm trying to draw a carrot top and this is very helpful.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Glad it was helpful! Oh my, good luck with that carrot top. All those leaf divisions! Negative space, I guess, will help you. But that's one heck of a challenge! Hope it goes well, and thanks for the comment.

[@cindykrogmeier4565]

I love your videos. You are an inspiration and a wonderful teacher. Loving your style

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Aww thankyou

[@sandradonofrio413]

I no longer have the ability to draw this way, but dreams carry on. You are inspiring and so I’m bound to try. I may try just a snippet. Your chatter is informative and just plain wonderful.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Sandra, I do hope you do feel able to give it a go again. You never know, muscle memory and all that, you may end up surprising yourself. Im flattered to be thought of as inspiring. Thank you.

[@elizabethmaia4680]

I love your classes too much! Thank you a lot! 🌲🌲🌲📒🗒✍✨✨✨

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

I'm so glad! Thanks for taking time to say so, too. x

[@nancybourque4080]

So I just wanted to say thank you for the lovely videos you make. I don't do watercolor any more but I play your videos while I am oil painting and using color pencils. Drawing is one of my favorite things. I love that you don't play loud music and you show what you are doing in real time. Your chatter fills up the space and helps me concentrate. I find it so down to earth and its full of helpful hints. Thanks again!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hi Nancy, how fascinating! I love that you have me on in the background, like a radio show. That's really flattering, and I'm so pleased you find my talking useful and interesting. Coloured pencils are amazing, certainly a medium I need to learn at some point. Same for oils. Glad you like the films, its lovely to hear. x

[@catherineneal5370]

Thank you Lizzie, watching from Tidewater Virginia in the US. I have been watching since 2020. Love your method and that you discuss materials. This is a great help to artists just breaking into watercolor.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Catherine, what great feedback, I appreciate it. Hope youre having a lovely weekend in Tidewater, VA! And thanks for leaving a comment. Good luck with your art!

[@songbird5266]

Thank you so much for uploading this. I can't wait to get at it!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@catherineneal5370]

The pencil looks great

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Cheers. I like pencil line drawings but I know lots of people much prefer the full colour versions. Glad you like it graphite.

[@maud2rolland348]

Incredible precision you are amazing

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thank you very much!

[@angiefranceskirwan]

Lizzy I just love the tiny detail and perspective you accomplish in your drawings...I absolutely love drawing and painting fine detail and your work is truly inspirational. I have a yew plant in my garden and I might just give it a go. Cheers!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

OOh DO give it a go! And yes, isnt there something so wonderful about getting lost in the tiny details? Enjoy the new plant!

[@francoiselarrieu6614]

thank you very much !!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You are welcome!

[@lisaloveskirby]

Very, very nice! I do love the drawing process. I was mesmerized watching you draw. And the information you shared about the Yew tree was wonderful! Thank you for sharing your time and gift with us!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it, Lisa.

[@janethompson6606]

Loved your drawing of the Yew branch. You make it look so easy! I have a Yew by my kitchen door and it survives the worst of Central Canadian winters. Such a tough little tree. I will draw and paint it to say thank you to it! I really enjoy your videos.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Jane, I love the idea of communicating with a species or a specific plant by drawing it. I think that way too. Yes, Yews are so tough, and so beautiful, too. I think drawing some in mid winter would be excellent - then you wouldnt have to go out into the great icy beyond to get your specimen!

[@janethompson6606]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Hi Lizzie, thank you for replying. Drawing in mid winter outside is impossible as the temperatures are so low and as result conifers stop photosynthesising and turn black. I could cut a branch and bring it in, but it wouldn’t be an image of the winter foliage. I could sit by the kitchen door window and try to get a lose watercolour of it I suppose!? Anyway not looking forward to winter, just to another video by you. Thanks for all the advice and inspiration you pass on.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

@@janethompson6606 Wow! So cold they turn black! And yes, of course being out of doors would never work. But drawing through a window would indeed be a challenge.... x

[@lehacarpenter7773]

Thank you! This was so helpful. I was just trying to draw a Sequoia branch the other day, and got so impatient with myself, but you've encouraged me to just relax and take my time. Would love to see how the painting part of this project turned out. I tend to make conifer needles too dark, and then they lose dimension. Your work is always so tonally balanced. 🙏

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Thanks for that Leha. I love the drawing stage, but sometimes it does feel overwhelming. Yes, yorue right about the conifers. All they need is a painted outline, then a light-ish top wash. the finished yew is here: lizzieharper.co.uk/image/yew-taxus-baccata-sprig-from-tree/ but the berries arent quite the right shade of red. Enjoy your sequoia! X

[@lehacarpenter7773]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Oh, wow--yes, I see what you mean about the outline and light wash--it's gorgeous! I think the berries look lovely, but just out of curiosity, in a case where you wanted to just slightly alter a color like that, could you glaze it, or would that muddy the gradient?

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hi Leha. That depends. If you use a very transparent colour glaze, like a watrerproof ink (I like PH Dr, martin's) then it won't muddy things. But as you know, its so easy to swallow up the lighter gradients, and then you end up with flat work. I still make this mistake far too often! But in theory, yes. Just make sure that mix is right so you dont need to do it twice and make it even more likely that you lose your lights.

[@lehacarpenter7773]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Lizzie, thank you so much! This is excellent advice! I feel like this is going to seriously improve my work. ❤🙏

[@rettain]

Wow! I had no idea about yews. You are so informative let alone teaching about art! Thank you!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Glad it was helpful! You are more than welcome. Aren't plants incredible?

[@CarlosHernandez-le6ds]

Gran paciencia y habilidad, es usted una gran artista e ilustradora botánica, saludos desde México..

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Muchos gracias, Carlos!

[@elastrorey5722]

Hello Lizzie. Your work is absolutely wonderful, such neat, detailed, beautiful lines! You're slowly becoming my favorite illustrator on this platform! Can we see more of your works, perhaps? Maybe of different plants or flowers?

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Hiya, and thanks so much for this. Yes, I'm always open to new ideas for films. Would you like a film talking about some finished pieces, and the plants I've illustrated? In truth those are easier to do than the real-time painting ones. I can certainly do a tour of some completed works if that'd be of interest? Nice idea, thank you.

[@elastrorey5722]

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Certainly, I bet they're as beautiful as the ones shown here! Those are your works though, and you should upload whatever makes you happy. Of course, as an amateur illustrator, I'll be glad to see real-time paintings as well. Whatever suits you, I'll be happy to see anything created by your masterful hand!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

@@elastrorey5722 Awww thats so kind. Thankyou

[@terrywilson5753]

Thank you Lizzie!

[@ruthhevia9217]

THANK THANK AND THANK❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹👍👍👍👍☺️☺️☺️

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You are so welcome!

[@vanessap9124]

Lizzie, I love your hair.

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

Very short. And it turns out, now the highlights have grown out, that Im not a blonde after all! Which is hilarious as Ive thought I was blonde since aged 16. Who knew? Thanks, glad you approve.

[@rettain]

Hours and hours watching and listening. I’ve got an appointment, but when I get back, pencil out and joining you!

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You go, Retta Su! Lovely to hear you're feeling inspired. x

[@fionarae8365]

Thank you so much for this Lizzie. I can't wait to apply your instructions and have a go. I particularly appreciated your tips (and the end) about not to worry if the drawing takes a long time. I feel I worry that I am taking too long so that tip really helped me. 😀

[@LizzieHarperillustrator]

You are so welcome! And never worry about working slowly. It means you've made time to take what you're doing seriously. Enjoy!