At last!
Finally, it’s warm enough for me to make my way through the woods to the muddy edge of a creek where the skunk cabbage thrives and sketch. For weeks, I’ve gone out scouting good locations, watching the maroon spears push up through frozen earth, watching the ground give up its ice as the spathes open. I’ve been waiting for a day when work, wind or fading daylight wouldn’t keep me indoors with an empty sketchbook…and here it is.
You might think forty degrees is awfully cold for sketching outdoors, but with a wool hat, down jacket, a bit of sunshine, and a genuine affection for your subject, it’s entirely doable. (Materials: Handbook Journal Co. 140lb watercolor sketchbook, Micron 005 black pen, watercolor)
Coming up! Winslow Art Center’s free annual Spring Fling Festival takes place April 9-12. Take advantage of four inspiring days of live demos, interactive work-alongs, and engaging artist talks. I’ll be doing a presentation, Sketching Through the Year, on Friday 4/10.
Drawn In 
Thank you, Jean!
You’re welcome! I’ve been so eager to do this, it feels great to finally get to it.
I’ve always been fond of skunk cabbage too in part because it assures me that spring really is on the way. Your colour choices and page layout make your subject shine!
Thanks so much, Jan!
I know just the type of day you are talking about – I think we had 3 or 4 this year 🙂 Great to see the maroon and chartreuse new growth!
The temperatures have been quite up and down– mostly down on the weekends, but I’m thrilled to cross this milestone.
Thanks for showcasing this unusual plant. In my childhood I’ve seen it in The forests of Connecticut. I had to learn more about it today. Did you know that it’s thermogenic and can melt the ice and snow around it?!
I’m glad you were inspired to look it up and learn more. I did know that about it– I start going out in February to see it when the snow isn’t too deep. It’s a cool plant!
Yay! You were long overdue for some outside sketching, and you must be so happy to be sketching your beloved skunk cabbage! Absolutely gorgeous, as always! Welcome spring!
So true! I’ve made a few forays over the winter, but this was really a treat.
🥰
This is the kind of subject worth the wait. Very lovely sketch.
And wait and wait…but always worth it!