Chariots and Trillium

Here's the 2nd of 4 new Assyrian Heavy Chariots.

I used the brown Micron ink pen for the detailing (pattern)  on the yellow portions of the Cab, and the green pen for the green quivers affixed to the cab.

The reins are made from the tape like form of Dental floss, painted a suitable color. 

Some more ink pen detailing on the fringes and the shield border. 

A coat of dark magic wash brought out the sculpting details on the wheels, ropes, and horse furniture nicely. 

About 10 days ago, my wife, our dog, and I were walking in neighboring Roxbury,  on the former rail bed of the rail line that used to run to the Granite and Garnet quarry at Mine Hill a century and a half ago. As we walked the amazingly durable bed laid down so long ago, I was excited to find some red Trillium wildflowers.  I hadn't seen one in in the wild for over 30 years, and there were a couple of spots where they were growing. This reclusive and ephemeral flower, nicknamed Red Wakerobin for it's early season blooms, and Stinking Benjamin (it is pollinated by flies and, like many similarly pollinated flowers [Jack in the Pulpit] it uses a rotting carrion fragrance to attract them). The blossoms were already becoming spent in mid May, so I didn't photograph them, but made note of their locations for next may. When we got back, I suspected that the cultivated Trillium that I had planted in the very shady front side of our home nearly 30 years ago might have gotten enough light and water this year to bloom, and that it would probably be a week or so behind its Forrest brethren. And so it was! I find the multiple threes of the flower and leaves (bracts) very satisfying aesthetically, with the red petals and green sepals making a sort of Star of David pattern. As the plants grow fairly low to the ground (12 to 18"), I have never had reason to sample their fragrance. It is best never to pick Trillium, as the flowers wilt almost immediately, and if you damage the three leaves, it may take years to recover, if ever. 

A different angle on a different day, taken to show the arrangement of the bracts (Leaves). Other varieties of Trillium found in North America can have white, pink, yellow, green or purple petals, but this red variety is the one that is native to New England... when you can find it!