Hellebore-Final

© Ellen Blonder

This was an exercise in patience. The hardest part was to keep the greens from getting muddled or indistinct where they overlapped. It was also a challenge to make the flowers greenish but still lighter than the leaves, but not so light they'd be too flat. I think I'll stop fussing now.

Hellebore-Day 4

© Ellen Blonder

Lots of pencil sharpening today, darkening leaves and inner background to make the greenish-white flowers stand out better. The right side is far more finished than the left.

Hellebore-Day 3

© Ellen Blonder

Working away, mostly on leaves.

Hellebore-Day 2

© Ellen Blonder

I think I spent over an hour today sharpening and organizing my motley collection of colored pencils, but now all my green pencils are together in one cup. I think I'm using eight or nine different greens, in addition to grays in this.

Hellebore-Day 1

© Ellen Blonder

I love the fans of leaves and greenish flowers of hellebores. I also like that some varieties bloom in my garden during the bleaker months. I guess that's why it gets the common name Christmas Rose. This one is from a photo I took at  Casa Loma in Toronto last year, and I thought it would give me a chance to try out my new green pencils.