I live near a west facing bluff where our native oak, Quercus garryana, grows. They thrive on sunny, well-drained slopes. I enjoy looking into their craggy canopies as I walk along the top of the bluff. I’ve wanted to sketch one of these impressive trees for awhile, so decided that this months’ entry for the Oregon Botanical Artists sketchbook exchange was my opportunity.
Leaf and acorn in watercolor, tree in black and grey ink.
I painted a Garry Oak twig on vellum a few years ago, so was able to look back at my records to see what paint mix to use to get the leaf and acorn colors. It was a great time-saver for me. I used the same three pigments, each a primary color, to mix all of my colors, as I like to do if possible. The greens are mixed with blue (Pthalo Blue Red Shade) and yellow (Hansa Yellow Medium) with a dab of red (Burnt Sienna), and the browns are the same red and yellow with a dab of blue. I think the Burnt Sienna for my red added an extra element of earthiness to the mix.
I keep records of each painting in a sketchbook, including the preliminary drawings, notes and records of pigments used.
Now it’s time to send this sketchbook along to the next artist in the rotation. In just a few months, I’ll get my sketchbook back, with 12 botanical sketches by different artists in our group–I can’t wait!
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
As a VERY newbie to understanding the creation of color in watercolor paintings (it generally just simply overwhelms me!), I appreciate your little discussion here.
And, I am also ga-ga over Garry Oaks, so, doubly appreciate ?
Alyse, I am ga-ga over Garry oaks too–love how you put it! I keep coming back to oak trees–they have so much personality as trees, such an interesting place in history as a food source for native peoples, and are tied to so many beautiful plants in the savannas of the PNW. Glad you enjoyed the post. About the water colors, I am always amazed at how many colors one can come up with out of mixtures of three primaries!
The differing shapes of the leaves in the two studies is interesting considering they are the same species of oak. I love the way you work across the double page- the whole tree is very impressive and I find it quite overwhelming to attempt this. I hope you are going to show us all your finished sketchbook when it is returned to you!
Hi Angela, I think the shapes are similar but the textures differ. Much of that is due to the different surfaces I painted on–the twig is painted on vellum and the single leaf on sketchbook paper. Plus I must confess that I took some liberties on the sketch and made the leaf a bit more textured than it really is to add some drama. I was trying to work quickly and give a general impression rather than doing an in-depth study with dry-brush. Also, I think my style has changed somewhat over the last couple of years. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone would notice that the sketchy leaf had a little different texture!
I’d love to share the sketches everyone did in my sketchbook, but am not sure if I will be able to because each artist retains the copyright of her work and I want to respect that. That’s why I am just showing my sketches!
Thanks for your comment!
Hello highly skilled and great artist! I admired your work here this summer and I am compiling a lesson for my students on Garry Oak ecosystem and the Western bluebird. I have been traveling around looking at different protected areas and I want to really examine the different species that make up this ecosystem. I would like to show them your art and hopefully inspire them to try to do watercolour and to work at research on these wonderful trees. Our school backs onto a garry oak meadow. Would it be okay if I include your picture in my power point? Happy art making, Kiersten Brookes Strawberry Vale Elementary