Cottonwood trees make bright yellow splashes of color in autumn. The dark trunks and limbs curve in between and the drama of these trees cannot be underestimated in the muted colors of the desert. For me, they epitomize the southwest in fall, and to see them in full color is really wonderful.
Here, another painting in gouache, and this time one that was difficult to do. Somehow I don’t think it has the crispness of the day I was trying to express. The drama of the light – dark contrast is there, but perhaps because the leaves of the cottonwoods are always more detailed in my eye than is shown here. At first I thought my scanner was a bit soft, but I really don’t know. Oh, well!
I did this painting on tan toned paper. Perhaps that adds to my sense of it not being quite what I wanted. Below is the original painting in my sketchbook.
Whatever – it is certainly something for me to think about. Gouache is opaque unless really diluted, so I am not too sure how much the toned paper is affecting my color perception.
Gouache, 9×12 toned paper, painting about 7×10.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 