The Jewel Beetle and the difference when you add more layers!

Haaaaappy Friday! Woo hoo! Weekend is here! And l have had so much fun this week drawing a Jewel Beetle. Quite a challenge for me as it is quite different to anything l have done before. But what l really want to talk about this week is something l knew, but which l have seen demonstrated so clearly this week that l wanted to share it with you. That is, the importance of layering.
The first photo that you see here is the result of a full day of work on this amazing beetle. The colors were so beautiful, l had no intention of drawing a beetle, l wasn't even looking at beetle photographs, but l stumbled upon it. My heart jumped, my stomach lurched and so l knew l had to draw it. Now that first photo shows many, many layers of color and blending. The head in particular l thought was finished, or near enough. So l took my photo and sat and compared it to the reference photo and to be honest it was pretty disappointing. Yes, it looks quite shiney and it could have been left like that. The paper was well covered, no annoying little white bits showing. But it wasn't making me smile. I thought that l had bitten off more than l could chew at this point.

But the next day, l took a deep breath and decided to add more layers, a lot more layers! And to be much bolder with my color. There is no fancy photo editing to alter the color here, this is simply the result of more layers. Often when we don't feel happy with a picture that is all it needs and it can take a fairly boring picture to a great one. In all honesty, it still isn't finished in the photo below, l added more after that shot, but it is nearly there and l think that the difference between the two photos clearly shows the difference more layers can make.

So the lesson that l want to share is this one, if you feel that your picture isn't looking quite as you would like it to, don't scrap it, try adding more layers. Anyway, this pretty little beetle is completed now and will be available to purchase from my shop tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend and happy drawing!

Shop

Gallery