Spring Is Here!

As I looked through an opening in the foliage at Denver Botanic Gardens I was struck with this composition. The blossoming tree with the tall flowers and dark background was irresistible. I started with the blossoming tree, placed it off center and painted it with simple brushstrokes of lemon yellow, gold, and yellow green, being sure to leave bits of white paper for sparkling sunlight. For the tree trunk and branches I mixed burnt sienna and ultramarine blue then skipped the branches through the spring leaves. Vertical brushstrokes of orange, yellow, and violet were used for the tall narrow flowers and I made sure to paint them as a group rather than individual flowers. The dark colors of olive green and perylene green in the background, put emphasis on the tree and flowers and pushed them forward. The tree in the background repeats the blossoming tree and ties the areas of the painting together. Dripping paint, broken edges, sparkling bits of white paper, and rich colors that are not over mixed all come together to create a sense of sunlight in the gardens. My first Watercolor Workshop in Botanic Gardens is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 3, 4, & 5. You can sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 days and I hope you will join us. Send me an email to pendletonstudio@gmail.com if you are interested or would like more information. There is also complete information on my website on the Classes and Workshops page. Happy Painting! Dennis Pendleton