Leaf Me Alone.

27th AUGUST, 2019 || CLASS – 5 ||

Topic : Bio-Organic Sketch Studying.

We know that the texture of an organic material differs in an immeasurable amount from inorganic material, but how do we show that on paper? So to study the differences in textures, gloss, surface and delicacy of different organic and inorganic materials, we were told to bring along with us some samples of the same, like flowers, leaves, twigs and stems of different species.

We started off with studying the basic structure of a random leaf, and understood how every part of the leaf differs in visual texture and reflects light in varying manner due to excess or deficiency of amount of light falling on it due to multiple light sources. With the shading techniques in mind from the previous classes, we were supposed to choose the right technique that is closest to the texture, and hereby resembling the structure.

|| https://murtazart.wordpress.com/2019/08/13/dancing-in-the-dark/ ||

After a detailed and well explained demonstration of sketching, it was now our turn to replicate the steps followed by the faculty. The teacher repeatedly laid a huge amount of stress over not touching your facial organs like nose or eyes right after making a direct contact with the leaves, specially the twigs, which might have a presence of microscopic larvae of bacteria on the surface, which might trigger our deepest allergies and keep us sneezing for the rest of the day.

Keeping the instructions in my mind, I proceeded to sketch a leaf called as ‘Amaranthus dubius’ , commonly known as the red spinach leaf and a twig I had picked up from a street. The problem I had to tackle was not only maintaining the texture and lighting of my sketch, but also the color of the leaf that I had chosen. It needed a lot of patience. A LOT!

“Sometimes you gotta run, before you can walk.” – Tony Stark, Iron Man. [2008]

Towards the end, we were given an assignment to similarly sketch a set of 20 organic and inorganic objects by the next class, of which I have posted down below.

• 

• 

Just if you want to know more about my sketch specimens posted above:

• Trachyspermum ammi, commonly known as Ajowan.
• Brassica oleracea var. capitata , Cabbage leaves.
• Zingiber officinale, Ginger stem.
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamon bark.
• Rosa damascena, Red rose leaf.
• Corchorus olitorius, Rope made from jute plant.
• Amaranthus dubius, Red spinach leaf.
• Feather of a Homing Pigeon.