"Ribbon" Art

I was puzzled when our botanical art instructor mentioned "ribbon" art. Then she explained that she meant curling leaves or grass that revealed both sides, two textures or colors.

I found a sample: dry grass sticking out of the snow. How to paint it?!


















My first attempt reminded me of party streamers! But botanical art demands precision, a sense of realism.

Simplify by editing your sample, our instructor suggested. So I pulled out one single blade of the grass!

Even that was challenging: From up close, dry grass looks so... exuberant!