Beginning a work starts with an encountering of your subject in sketches and studies. In the orchid pieces, I began a series of drawings. The first video shows a multi-step process using conte and marker as the underdrawing. I begin as always with the dot method with whisper light lines moving into shapes for a sense of placement, and initial expressions of rhythmic movements to work out the energy and design in a duet between myself and the subject. The underdrawings lines are delicate so as not to interfere later with my freedom in brushwork, as they can be seen later, as if hiding in plain sight.
Practice Exercise
Do a series of drawing using multiple-step processes from light to heavier lines as you come closer to discovering your subject.