This is a copy of the first burning I ever did. I have "colorized" it just like the old movies

and made lots of "artistic" changes using a cute little hummingbird from our backyard bird habitat, modified the fence also using some "artistic" changes and the flowers have been changed a bit. I used shading in this one which I wasn't very good at back then so there wasn't any, just outlined mostly....and no I won't/can't show you the original because it's long gone!!!!
Speaking of our bird habitat. We have been so innundated with birds they are eating us out of house and home and Wild Birds Unlimited now knows us on a first name basis. Al also spent the weekend (god bless him) vaccuming up dropped seeds, spreading the rocks away from the feeder so I can have a free-form pond of sand to keep the rocks clean of seed. It's mostly done but ran out of sand. We have a variety of feeders to attract a variety of birds and also now have Rose of Sharon and trumpet vines in the yard and come spring I'll have my rose bushes put in and perhaps a butterfly bush. So, I should have lots of great photos to use for burnings in the future. Unfortunately no more Iris but will have lots of other flowers to choose from since my neighbors have volunteered to let me use their yards for photos as well.
Anyway, I used oil pencils with turpene so it just has a hint-a color. It was actually a last minute decision...one of those executive decisions that I didn't regret. If I had thought of doing it sooner I would have left the top leaves lighter. I really did it so people could see that I actually do know how to use color even though I don't like to use it. Mostly it's a personal preference because I figure if I wanted a painting I'd do a painting.
This was done on a basswood cheeseboard that hubby makes and it came out darker than I would have liked but I was in a hurry with just too many pots on the fire. I don't like burning on basswood anymore and I was in a rush so I turned the heat up too much to get it done quickly. I'll be glad when the class and show is over and I can get back to normal and slow down a bit
Once we get back from visiting Toto in Kansas I plan on working on my two burnings I've set aside and some more gourds.
Nedra