Red Leaf

The red and green colours in this tattered leaf were irresistible. I believe the leaf is giant from a Eucalyptus tree with reddish bark and bigger leaves, there are lots of these trees in the neighbourhood streets. To paint this leaf, I used a glaze of Quinacridone Gold, lightening the edges by lifting out colour with a damp clean brush. Then touched on a dark mix of colour to “draw” around the edges. Added two layers of Cadmium Red, then lifted out the red to drop in the green bits in Sap Green and Ultramarine.

Tip: Used rock salt for the texture and painted in the dark veins (forgot to use a toothpick to draw them in while the paint was still wet).

Red Tattered Leaf, Field Journal, 26 April 2020. Quinacridone Gold, Cadmium Red, Sap Green, Burnt Umber, Ultramarine Blue.