Leaf-Olympics: Day 6--Giving the Brush Off!

Another batch of leaves was painted today. Trying to finish off the supply of small leaves so I can move onto the next size up, as the tree is calling for. I experimented with different ways of painting the veining today.

First, on a few of the larger-sized leaves, I tried out a liner brush, with extra long bristles, in pale green (lower left.) It shows up as "painted" but I don't mind that for this project. Hand-crafted trumps realism in Halfland. But the best method so far, of course discovered at this middle stage, was one of Paul's super Bienfang watercolor brush pens. I stole* (borrowed, I mean borrowed, hi honey!) one of his never been used sap green, self-wicking brush nib on a refillable ink reservoir with controlled ink delivery. Quick brushed on a quick veining and then washed it back with a large, moist, empty brush to blend in the color (lower right). The dark green ink settles into the embossed channels nicely. This technique provided the quickest and most pleasing leaves to date. I plan to execute the rest of the leaves in this way.

Can. Not. Wait. to glue these leaves on--I see so many perfect spots that NEED to have a cluster growing, it's all I can do to move now to my graphic work that is due.

I'll squeeze it in at every spare moment.

*Don't you all agree that ANY item of art supply, if left unopened and completely UNUSED for a period over 6 months, is FAIR GAME for stealing by werking artist in the same house?! I do. Be warned.