MATERIALS
Artists’ canvas.
Monte Marte Silver Series and Chroma acrylic paints: Purple; Black; Titanium White; Burnt Sienna; Raw Sienna; Yellow; Raw Umber; Mid Green; Warm Yellow; Yellow Ochre.
Brushes: Royal Crafters Numbers 1 to 3/0; Winsor & Newton Sable Numbers 3, 1,0, 5
Two-inch sheepskin roller.
White Chinagraph pencil.
STEP ONE
I applied one coat of purple paint with the roller, then allowed it to dry before applying a second coat.
STEP TWO
I made several sketches on paper before drawing my design onto the canvas. This allowed me to rearrange my composition a few times to get the final design. I laid out the design of my leaves on paper and then marked out the layout onto my canvas with the Chinagraph pencil.
STEP THREE
Beginning with the background leaves, I applied the Ochre base and blended in White, with a weton-wet technique (blending the colours before the paint dried).
STEP FOUR
I continued the process of adding in varying colours wet-on-wet: Mid Green with Warm Yellow, and so on.
STEP FIVE
I added a more complex combination of colours, such as Burnt Sienna blended with Green on one side, and White blended into the other side; creating subtle shades of colour.
STEP SIX
To give the leaves a ‘real’ appearance, I painted in fine lines for the veins and added a border of Burnt Sienna with a hint of Black mixed in around the edges (to give the leaves depth).
FINAL STEP
When the painting had fully dried (24 hours later), I added one coat of varnish to bring out the colours and protect the surface.
ARTIST’S HINTS AND TIPS
• As the leaves I’d chosen to paint dried out over a few days, I ventured out again to find freshly fallen leaves with vibrant colours. I also searched for fresh leaves carrying insect marks and other imperfections to add interest to my subject matter.
• Colour has a way of lifting your mood. Choose colours that appeal to you. I’m most attracted to colours that have natural tones but will also add brightness and some extra ‘pizzazz’.
