I have been busy painting a new subject — leaves. More specifically, gum leaves, or maybe you call them eucalyptus leaves. When alive on the tree they are a fairly uniform green colour. But as they drop off, they dry to wonderful reds, oranges and vivid greens. And they curl and twist.
Marvellous!
So I have been playing with watercolour paint to capture their rich colours and shadows. I love how the shadows make them seem 3D, as though you could lift them off the page.
Want to know how to win the leaf painting? Read on…….
I have also been playing with adding backgrounds. My intention is to make the background look like the dappled light under the trees. Does it work? I would love to know what you think.
Some have no shadow or background, but lots of rich, vibrant colour.
They are all small — A5 watercolour paper. All, except the first, are available for $30.00 in my Etsy shop. To look at them more closely, read a full description, check out shipping costs and so on, just click on one of the pictures. It will take you there.
So, how do you win the first leaf painting? Simply leave a comment on this post by Thursday 31st October (Australian EST). Pretty simple! I will happily ship anywhere in the world. While you don’t have to comment on the paintings, I would love to know what you think of them. Do you have a favourite? Does the background work? With shadow or without?
[I tried to do a Rafflecopter giveaway, but it defeated me. 😦 I promise honesty with my own system. I am going to get the Fella to choose a number from the number of comments, and that lucky person will win. For instance, if there are 15 comments, he will pick a number between 1 and 15. If your comment is that number on the list, you’re the winner!! If there are lots of comments I will add a second painting.]
Go for it!
Anne Lawson Art 
29 replies on “Leaf painting giveaway!”
Anne, I love these paintings 🙂 … all of them, but think the ones with the shadows work the best! Yes, you could definitely pick them off the page, especially the one of the top left!
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*on* 🙂
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I really enjoy creating the shadows too. I know when they have worked by the 3D effect they make. Some turn out better than others. Thanks for dropping by, and making the comment. 🙂
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They look so lovely Anne, I like the way you are achieving the dappled light, I hope you get lots of comments and entries for your giveaway. I really like the twisted leaf in the bottom of the triptych. As I’m lucky enough to already own some beautiful works of yours I wish good luck to all your entrants because I know the winner will love their’s when they have it. Get on board everyone and support Anne, her work is stunning.
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Aww, thank you Denise. 🙂
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The leaves on the plain background are very beautifully seen and drawn. I, myself, have been taking pictures of a leaf slowly decaying away for the last few weeks.
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Lots of botanical artists paint green leaves. I am drawn to the decaying ones too. Are you going to post about your photos? Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
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[…] ← Leaf painting giveaway! […]
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Your paintings of the gum leaves are just stunning Anne. Alessandra & I loved them all – particularly the first one with the chunk eaten out of it. I really like the plain backgrounds with the shadowing.We would love to buy one please– you are so talented!
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I understand what you’re trying to do with the mottled backgrounds, but the first set with just the shadows are really gorgeous. Love them!
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I have to agree with you. I will play some more with the backgrounds, but I will concentrate more on the plain ones with shadows. It is so good to get feedback!
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Reblogged this on notes to the milkman and commented:
Some gorgeous, simple leaf paintings. Check ’em out!
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Thank you so much for re blogging 🙂 And for the lovely things you said on your blog about the leaves.
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Personally I think definitely with the shadow and without the coloured background. I do not think the dappled background does justice to your delicate painting, it detracts from it. Lovely watercolour work!
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That is great feedback. I was unsure about the background myself. Thanks for dropping by!
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no problem – you were re-blogged by Notes to the Milkman, if you want to know how I came to see your blog….
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I was so pleased that he went to the trouble to do that.
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The plain backgrounds are best – or if you want the coloured ones, I think you should omit the shadow. Great pictures!
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That might be something to try — the background but no shadows. Good advice. I wanted to experiment with a background, but I haven’t convinced myself yet that it really works!! Thanks for the feedback, and for dropping by the blog.
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Hi Anne, I have come over from John Pindar’s notes to the milkman. For me the leaf and shadow is beautiful in its simplicity. The mottled backgrounds subtract rather than add. Perhaps for mottled shade the whole leaf could be in the mottle, but difficult to achieve I imagine! Have you see the work of KI artist Scott Hartshorne? regards, Philippa
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Lovely to have you here, Philippa. “Beautiful in its simplicity.” Wow! Thank you. I haven’t seen Scott’s work, but I will check him out.
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I zoomed in on all of them and I couldn’t decide which one I liked the best, the very first large picture or he last curved one on its own so both get my vote. Gum leaves are so interesting in all their different shapes, textures and colours aren’t they?
I prefer the ones without the shaded background too, there is something so lovely about a watercolour picture on a plain background. 🙂
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3x is the charm.. I would adore one of your leaf paintings. Here in the desert, we don’t get much seasonal leaf droppings, just the gorgeous pink bougainvillea flowers skittering across pool decks!
The Leaf that is curly w/o shadows would be terrific! Beautiful work Ann!
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[…] is drawing to an end. Your comment needs to be on the post by Thursday midnight (Australian EST). Here’s the link. Head over and leave me a comment, even if it’s only […]
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In my morning walks I often see lovely eucalyptus leaves like these and feel tempted to pick them up to make pictures out of them. Your paintings Anne inspire me to do just the same! Just love all your art work – stunning and beautifiul
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I love the colors and forms of all your leaves, and the delicacy of your work. The plain background is more traditional and lets the leaves stand out more, but I like the effect of the dappled background – it adds a softness and movement behind the leaves, and connects to the colors in the leaves. It was hard to choose a favorite as they are all so lovely, but choosing one would be the first one with the shadows and the plain background.
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Hi Anne , I have been busy this week and had not seen your latest post ..so my comment last night on the beauty of the shading was unsolicited . I really love the first one . The background seems to lighten towards the top which is very subtle . I like the grey toned background best but think that it would depend on the leaf tones . The mottled background is a bit overpowering for the leaf for my taste . Simple is just fabulous. First and last are my favourites . See you in the next day or so to make my purchases .
Mary
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Nice paintings! And I am pleased you enjoyed my posts with Bradshaw’s Hand Book to London
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Thanks for the compliment! 🙂 I paint them for myself, and am just lucky that others like them too. I am so looking forward to wandering (virtually) through London with you!
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