(4x7)The mini-obsession goes on. Above, I did some preliminary drawing, but then got lost anyway ...
Below, is the drawing for the next version. I don't want to draw every line or shape (I'm too lazy, for one!) but give myself enough information to know where I'm going.
COCOANUT TREE
from Mark Twain, Roughing It
"A mile and a half from town, I came to a grove of tall cocoanut trees, with clean, branchless stems reaching straight up sixty or seventy feet and topped with a spray of green foliage sheltering clusters of cocoanuts--no more picturesque than a forest of colossal ragged parasols, with bunches of magnified grapes under them, would be. I once heard a gouty northern invalid say that a cocoanut tree might be poetical, possibly it was; but it looked like a feather-duster struck by lightning. I think that describes it better than a picture--and yet, without any question, there is something fascinating about a cocoanut tree--and graceful, too."
Wonderful! I always love Mark Twain, and I love your cocoanuts. You're so good to keep trying different methods and angles in painting these. I admire that. I'd probably just say "ok, maybe I'm not supposed to do cocoanuts." Your work here is lovely and loose.
ReplyDeletePerfect, Mark Twain, really enjoyed reading that. As for drawing just enough to know where your going,that is something I always wrestle with.Often, it seems, about half way through the painting I get lost. But what a fun place To be lost,hey?Loving the movement in the pics.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThe painting and drawing are wonderful. I've seem palm trees in Florida and California, but it's the California trees that fit Mark Twain's description perfectly. Seeing them in photos makes me homesick for California. I never lived there, but have loved every minute of visiting.
Super blog.
Take care,
Barbara
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteOops that should read "seen", not seem. Love your work.
Barbara
I love your Twain quote. You are doing really lovely, colorful and energetic, transparent watercolors.
ReplyDeleteYou're not lazy...you're letting the paint speak!
I must commend you for being so persistent about getting it right. I tend to give up on a subject if I don't get it right in the first try or two.I Look forward to seeing the finished piece. I'm sure you will come up with a lovely translucent result as usual.
ReplyDelete