I struggle with painting trees. I love them (grew up in Washington state and you can't go far without a tree being right beside you), I miss them (I live in the southestern desert of Arizona which truly is evergreen-tree deficient although it has its perks), but, I have trouble painting them. Trying to get the shape of the tree overall as well as the shapes of the leaf or branch clusters without overdoing it is definitely a challenge at times. I look at trees painted by Laurel Daniel, Jean Ranstrom and Terri Ford and others, and I am so inspired, but on occasion the results of my efforts don't quite look like the vision I had at the beginning. However, I keep at it and I hope one day it will come easier.
When I opened your blog and this painting popped up, I said, "wow". I think it's a success, very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that, Melanie. Trees are one of my favorite things in life, and I do want to be able to do them justice. :)
ReplyDeleteCarol, your expertise in so many subjects is really showing the fantastic growth you are making in your painting. I see a true Carol style very definitely showing up and showing up strongly. Jean
ReplyDeleteThis looks so California to me! I think you did really well but I struggle with trees also and get what you mean. I read somewhere though about understanding the structure of how trees grow and using this understanding as the basis for painting them. Sounds kind of simple but I liked the advice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jean. Very kind words. Your work is such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI think you're exactly right about the advice, Libby. "Anatomy" would be the basis for "shape."
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing.
I think you captured these trees beautifully! You've chosen some great landscape painters to learn from. Also, check out Julie Davis--jdavisart.blogspot.com. You may have already. Like you, she writes about loving trees, too. I'm always taken by how she handles the sky against the leaves, branches, clusters---achieves a kind of iridescence.
ReplyDeleteHi Lorraine,
ReplyDeleteI have seen Julie's work and I am in complete agreement. She's another great example of an artist who has "seen" the structure of trees, the colors, the shapes and the effects of light on the various parts. As you described, she understands how the light from the sky affects the trees various parts including the light THROUGH the branches. Thank you for your comments!