Friday, April 15, 2011

Tree practice--PPF

I love trees of all kinds.
Here in south Texas we have oaks, ebony,
olive, palms, mesquites, and other trees.
Many are twisted by the strong winds here.
Most have interesting bark and lots of character.
Some have small leaves,
and others have larger ones.
Some even have beautiful flowers.

I painted a tree this week for my watercolor class in town.
We are going on a day out artist retreat this month,
and my teacher was teaching us about trees.
I have a very hard time painting trees.
I like to paint loose, and have lots of color
in my paintings,
so here is my first tree.

I put a rope swing hanging from the large branch,
just like I always had when growing up.
I'm not sure about the perspective,
the shadows etc.
I will keep practicing!
This painting is only 8 by 10 inches,
so that is smaller than normal for me.
I used smaller brushes,
and that seemed harder for me also.

So, that's my Paint Party Friday painting,
as it is right now.
Hope you are having a wonderful and creative week.
If you have any tips on painting trees,
I could sure use some critique on this one.
Thanks!

To see more PPF art,
or click on the logo in my sidebar.

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

37 comments:

Halle said...

This is outstanding!! The tree looks grand and magestic such as an old tree should be. Awesome.

Anonymous said...

Texas sounds amazing - i would love to go some day as the landscape seems stunning and vast. I love this tree and could just imagine swinging lazily on the rope swing with the warm texan air blowing around me.(my tree surgeon husband would love to see all these exotic varieties too!)

SHERI COOK said...

I love the way you created this tree! The flow and colors are GREAT! Happy PPF!

Maggie said...

You captured the age of this stately tree so well! I love the colors!

Heather said...

I love your tree! Bold and beautiful. I love your style...the loose feel is fabulous for this - the swing is a sweet detail too! I would love to be sitting there...

Crystal said...

This is the wonderful for your first attempt at a tree. I looks like you have painting them for a long time! :-)

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

This is perfect! I love how it makes me feel. Like I'm right there getting to the swing. :)

Anonymous said...

I like loose and colorful watercolors too and wish I could paint that way. Your tree is beautiful. Wish I could see it in person. I can just imagine sitting on that swing in the warm sunshine with a gentle breeze blowing on my face and the birds singing in the tree....oh stop me, I can't wait for summer!!

Deanna said...

I was practicing trees this week too! I must say, yours turned out much better than my first attempt. Very nicely done and I love the colors. The tree swing is such a great added touch.

GlorV1 said...

It's wonderful! Trees are very hard, but you've captured what was in your soul at the time and done a great job. Ah, a swing. Now I wish I had one in my back yard. Very nicely done. Happy PPF!

Tammie Lee said...

Your tree is wonderful, love the colors and twisting trunk. I could use a tree making workshop, fun.

Pam Tucker said...

I love trees too but can't seem to paint them. I find them very difficult. You did a great job on yours! I love the color in the leaves. It's beautiful!! This reminds me of a tree we had in our yard when I was growing up. I LOVE it!

*jean* said...

lovely work, yvonne!

Heavens2Betsy said...

I couldn't possibly critique your tree. All I can do is admire it. I love the shapes and colours of the whole picture and the rope swing is a lovely addition. Penny

Netty said...

Fabulous and dramatic tree. Great brush strokes and colours. Annette

Christine said...

fabulous tree it looks as if it has been there a long time.

Anne Butera said...

Your tree looks great! Love the colors in this painting and I love that you added the swing! Makes me want to linger a while.

Marlene said...

Really wonderful painting, the tree is fabulous, love that you added the swing.

WrightStuff said...

Beautiful. Great use of colour - there's a real feel of a hot summer day here.

I always wanted a swing with really long ropes so I could glide through the air!

Melisa said...

I can't critique trees because I have a tree painting photbia, but I think loose and colorful is perfect for trees. I think it looks great as it is.

Victoria said...

This is fabulous..i love this piece! I am so love with trees..yours is stunning and the swing is very poetic and beautiful!
Victoria~

Kristin Dudish said...

I am going to start sounding like a broken record, but I absolutely love the way you handle your watercolors! I love the leaves... the colors are beautiful! The addition of the swing is great (we have a tire swing).

xo
Kristin

ger chouinard said...

Yvonne your FIRST tree is awesome! I love sketching and painting trees. Can't believe it's your first! Very, very nice!

Gerri Herbst said...

Georgeous tree, beautiful painting. So glad I found FPP, will be back next week for sure.
thanks for yr kind words on my painting of shells.gerri

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

Your tree is amazing...just keep practicing ...Texas is a wonderful destination for me as an artist. Peace, Mary Helen

Hybrid J said...

Anything from nature is such great painting subject. Your trees are just wonderful. Love the way you use color to create depth. Lovely work! ;)

Theresa Plas said...

Beautifully done Yvonne! O to be so gifted at watercolors...:)

Ileana said...

Beautiful tree and what a peaceful painting. I love it! Thanks for sharing.

Barbara said...

I have always loved to include trees in whatever I'm doing, it started with art classes I took. They are so strong and yet rooted and at peace. Lovely tree painting!

EVA said...

Yvonne, this tree is beautiful!

I love trees. i think you captured it beautifully. Maybe its shadow is missing but maybe not - it looks like a bit of a cloudy day.

You did a wonderful job! And your retreat (Paint party LIVE?) sounds great!

My Grama's Soul said...

Oh my dear lady.....you are a NATURAL at watercolor!!

xo

Jo

Yvonne said...

EVa, thanks for the critique. I thought about a shadow, but didn't know how to do that, so I just left it out. I will think on it and see if I can put one in, jut very subtle maybe.

Yvonne said...

Thanks to all of you for the comments on my first tree painting. It really encourages me to do more.

Jaime Haney said...

Holy cow! that is an awesome first tree! You are very gifted and I love the composition.

Lynn Stevens said...

Can't believe this is your First tree, Great job , love all your colors!!!!

Annabelle said...

Wow what an awesome tree and so very old and seasoned...can't believe it's your very first! Trees are something I really want to get good at painting.....Lovely lovely work!


Annabelle : )

Priti Lisa said...

I love color! So I am a fan of this tree...I love the swing, it made me feel homesick for childhood. I loved to swing.
xox