Between the Eye and the Graphite: Finishing My Caraibeira Study
My study of the Caraibeira in graphite is almost complete. For a few days now, I have been dedicating myself solely to observing the artwork whether while I write or simply as I pass through the hallway leading to my studio. This looking-without-touching is so crucial at this stage, because less can be more, and what was almost right can easily turn into something not quite as interesting.
Two days later…
I believe I’m done. I spent a lot of time observing before applying the fixative spray, and somehow, the artwork itself told me it was ready. And what is my takeaway from this process?
First, I reaffirm the importance of encountering the species in person, observing it, and building my inspirations from these moments. As I mentioned in another post in my Caatinga Field Journal (Caderno de Campo da Caatinga), I don't necessarily aim to reproduce the plant in a strictly realistic way. However, to represent it in my own voice, I need to know it: to understand how it behaves, how its colors manifest, what marks it carries, among other characteristics.
I started creating my composition drawing from various inspirations, but I couldn't move forward. Everything felt a bit stagnant. It was only when I came across my model during one of my field expeditions that the work began to flow—even if that meant starting a new draft from scratch. I shared more details about this journey in the post From Observation to Graphite: Creating Botanical Art in A2 Size.
Another reflection is about the challenge of working on a larger scale, since I used an A2 sheet. At first, I was worried about smudging the paper, but everything went according to plan. Moreover, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed having more space to create. I realize that the larger the paper, the more inspired I feel.
For this piece, I chose a beautiful wooden frame and a delicate mat.
I believe this stage of my journey with the Caraibeira ends here. I say stage because I still wish to portray it in watercolor. Before that, however, I will begin a new study, which I’ll share in the next post.
Here’s a hint: I found and photographed this species out in the field. 🌿
Warm regards, and see you at the next stroke!
Eveli Rayane
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