The second stage of the Snail Shell Bees was the female. Female Osmia bicolours are very striking bees. I saw one in the summer at Heligan. Her ginger and black colouring is very beautiful. The first sketch
Then I curved her over more for a more dynamic pose and inclined her head a little, to look more at us.
Slowly building up…
She like most bees is larger than the male and he is not so colourful. I take the protective coverings away to see where I am with them both and begin to roughly and lightly sketch in the foliage.
It’s fine to do this as long as it’s lightly and with a soft pencil. It can all be erased later. I know the photos are not brilliant but I can’t use a flash because it bleaches everything out.
Still fairly clean.. end of day two.
Love the movement you have created in the bee, its a wonderful drawing. 🙂
Thank you Ruth. I really REALLY like this female bee. I am not sure why. Some work better than others and I know I will be rather sad to let her go!