Nature

Kiwi Fruit

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A continuation of fruit and vegetables series completed with a quick proportion pencil sketch and then watercolor with no ink. The kiwifruit, native to northern China, was first brought to and cultivated in New Zealand at the turn of the 20th century and was then known as the Chinese Gooseberry. When the time came to export the fruit, to avoid the high duties charged on berries, the name was changed to the kiwifruit, or kiwi because of the fruit’s shared characteristics with New Zealand’s national symbol, the kiwi bird, which is also small, brown and fuzzy. Daniel Smith and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-03-02 Kiwi Fruit

Strawberries

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A new series of fruit and vegetables series completed with a quick proportion pencil sketch and then watercolor with no ink.

The garden strawberry is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus Fragaria (collectively known as the strawberries). It is cultivated worldwide for its fruit. The fruit (which is not a botanical berry, but an aggregate accessory fruit) is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness. It is consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in  prepared foods.The garden strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 1750s via a cross of fruit from eastern North America and Chile. Daniel Smith and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-03-01 Strawberries

Hermit Crab

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The hermit crab is a type of crab that does no have a very hard shell. Not actually a true crab, it uses other animals’ old shells for protection; they especially like whelk shells. As a hermit crab grows in size, it must continue to find larger shells. There are about 500 species of hermit crabs found throughout the world. Most hermit crabs live on the ocean floor, but many can live on land. The sketch is  direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-25 Hermit Crab

Sally Lightfoot Crab

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The Sally Lightfoot crab, sometimes called the red rock crab, is a common sight on rocky beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of the Americas, from Florida down to Brazil.  Adults, which have carapace widths of around 5-8 centimeters, are generally bright red, brown, or orange with various patterns, while young Sally Lightfoot crabs are darker-colored. Sally Lightfoot crabs spend most of their time hiding away in rock crevices, but when they come out to feed they move with the remarkable agility and speed that give them their common name. While they feed, powerful waves often crash over them, but they are able to withstand these by flattening themselves against rocks and holding on tightly. Although these crabs mainly eat red and green algae, they will eat practically anything they can get, including mussels, barnacles, other crabs, young sea turtles, dead fish. The sketch is  direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-24 Sally Lightfoot Crab

Shrimp

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Shrimp are swimming crustaceans with long narrow muscular abdomens and long antennae. Unlike crabs and lobsters, shrimp have well developed pleopods (swimmerets) and slender walking legs; they are more adapted for swimming than walking. Members of the Natantia (shrimp in the broader sense) were adapted for swimming while the Reptantia (crabs, lobsters, etc.) were adapted for crawling or walking. Some other groups also have common names that include the word “shrimp”; any small swimming crustacean resembling a shrimp tends to be called one. The sketch is  direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-23-Shrimp

Ghost Crab

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Ghost crabs are semi-terrestrial crabs of the subfamily Ocypodinae. They are common shore crabs in tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world, inhabiting deep burrows in the intertidal zone. They are generalist scavengers and predators of small animals. The name “ghost crab” derives from their nocturnality and their generally pale coloration. They are also sometimes called sand crabs. Characteristics of the subfamily include one claw being larger than the other, thick and elongated eyestalks, and a box-like body. The sketch is  direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-22-Ghost Crab

Queen Triggerfish

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The queen triggerfish reaches 24 in, though most only are about half that length. It is typically blue, purple, turquoise and green with a yellowish throat, and light blue lines on the fins and head. It can change colour somewhat to match its surroundings, or if subjected to stress. In the western Atlantic, it ranges from Canada to southern Brazil, and is reasonably common in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The queen triggerfish is typically found at coral and rocky reefs in depths of 10–100 feet, but it can occur as deep as 900 feet and sometimes over areas with sand or sea grass. The sketch is  direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-20-Queen Triggerfish

Sunset Butterflyfish

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The Sunset Butterflyfish is also known as the Pelewensis Butterflyfish, Dot-Dash Butterflyfish and it originates from the reefs of the south Pacific. This Butterflyfish has an oval shape and has beautiful yellow to orange hues covering the majority of the body. The black bands are orientated in a diagonal fashion and the fins are outlined in a striking yellow. The sketch is  direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-19-Sunset Butterflyfish

Red Sea Urchin

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The red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) is found in the Pacific Ocean from Alaska ti Baja California. It lives in shallow waters from the low-tide line to greater than 330 feet deep, and is typically found on rocky shores sheltered from extreme wave action. A sea urchin’s spherical body is completely covered by sharp spines that can grow up to 3.1 inches. These spines grow on a hard shell called the “test”, which encloses the animal.  It can vary in color from red to dark burgundy. A sea urchin has no visible eyes or legs. It has a mouth located on its underside, which is surrounded by five teeth. The sketch is  direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-18 Red Sea Urchin

Blue Sea Anemone

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The ornately colored sea anemone (uh-NEM-uh-nee) is named after the equally flashy terrestrial anemone flower. A close relative of coral and jellyfish, anemones are stinging polyps that spend most of their time attached to rocks on the sea bottom or on coral reefs waiting for fish to pass close enough to get ensnared in their venom-filled tentacles. Their bodies are composed of an adhesive foot, a cylindrical body, and an array of tentacles surrounding a central mouth. The tentacles are triggered by the slightest touch, firing a harpoon-like filament into their victim and injecting a paralyzing neurotoxin. The helpless prey is then guided into the mouth by the tentacles. There are more than 1,000 sea anemone species found throughout the world’s oceans at various depths. I need to review my colors and get a much brighter, electric blue for these tropical images. The sketch is a quick pencil sketch for proportions and then direct to watercolor without ink. Holbein and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-17 Blue Anemone