Wabi-sabi is this week’s challenge for 52Frames. This is a Japanese concept that centres around acceptance of imperfection and impermanence. The extra challenge this week is abandoned buildings and I do have some suitable reference, but think they would not be well served by the small format I am using.

My garden is really autumnal at the moment and I have done no cutting back. I went to have a look and found this sprig of roses fading on the bush and thought they were perfect.

How to display them for drawing? I thought about a little vase, but decided I wanted them to take up most of the page so ended up lying them on a sheet of paper. Contrast was essential and so I lit them from one side with a powerful lamp.

A watercolour wash was flooded over the drawing and then I went over the wash with Arteza brush pens and pencil. Overall I like it and the way it comes off the page works well. The shadow may be a bit strong, but it does add some drama.

The last of the roses in watercolour wash and Arteza brush pens.