I've been wanting to paint an Autumn leaf for a while now (to take part in the BAASA Gauteng Autumn leaf challenge)....I have happily been collecting the most beautiful leaves and now have quite a collection.
It is amazing just how different the colouration in each leaf is (even in leaves from the same tree) and how they change as they dry. The colours range from dark maroons, through reds, oranges, yellows to the brightest lime green.
Not only are the colours so seductive and appealing to paint, but the markings are also a wonderful challenge, and a lot of fun to paint.
Today I made a few leaf prints of Celtis leaves, which is really easy to do (I just used watercolour) and then filled the prints in with washes of colour and lastly added dry brush details and a splattering of dots (using a mask and a toothbrush).
Can you tell which leaves are the real ones and which are the painted ones? Look for the shadows.
Coming soon...Pin Oak leaves
~ Sam
