When I was in Florida earlier this month, I stayed with my friend Judy, and in between workshops we managed to fit in a couple of plein air outings. We love sketching together – some things are just more fun when they’re shared.
Our first field trip was to the Gamble Plantation Historic State Park in Ellenton, where we whiled away the afternoon sketching under a sprawling live oak tree.
The sinuous branches of the tree stretched more than a hundred feet from side to side, so I figured a two-page spread was the way to go with my sketch. I couldn’t capture it all, but using a panoramic format in my 7.5″ square Stillman and Birn sketchbook would help to convey the feel of the spreading branches.
I started off with a rough pencil block-in to get the large shapes placed on the page, then used a Pigma Micron 01 pen for the drawing. Simplification was the name of the game when it came to drawing the branches, so I sketched the intricate blanket of greenery that covered each thick branch using random scribbly strokes of the pen. There was no need to draw a lot of details; I knew that I could suggest the wild variety of shapes and colors later during the painting process.
Individual twigs and leaves were lightly inked in a few of the open areas where they would be silhouetted against the sky.
I let my pen dance and skip across the page to indicate the Spanish moss. The lines were nothing more than placeholders for the paint that was to come.
I added short, choppy strokes to the trunk and thicker branches to suggest the texture of the bark.
All of the background details were kept to a minimum in the drawing phase. I wanted the old oak to be the center of attention, rather than the stately old house.
The painting was so much fun! Rather than paint the trunk a dull gray, as it appeared in real life, I used warm golden tones on the sunlit side and rich blues and purple in the shadows. The branches were painted with the same color mixes.
(I used a mini half-pan set of QoR watercolors for this on-location sketch. I like the selection of artist-grade colors that it comes filled with, and it offers plenty of mixing space in a compact palette size.)
To paint the greenery on the branches, I mixed up puddles of varying shades of green: light yellow-green, a subdued warm midtone green, a bluer dark green, and a deep black-green. I intermingled the colors as I worked my way across the branches, allowing them to blend wet-in-wet. After the first wash of color had dried, I added the darkest darks and pops of blue and violet here and there.
To paint the Spanish moss, I used a small round brush loaded with tones of blue-grey, twirling and twisting it to make random brushstrokes.
Spattering was used to indicate smaller leaves and add a touch of liveliness and movement.
The mansion itself was drawn and painted with very little detail, as were the trees alongside it.
To paint the far distant trees, I used muted greens, browns, blues, and violets, letting the colors merge and blend on the paper wet-in-wet. This gave the background a soft, out-of-focus look.
I debated about painting the sky. I liked how the tree looked against the bright white of the paper, but, in the end, I decided it looked incomplete without some blue to give it context. So, I mixed up a puddle of Cerulean Blue and used a fat round brush with a good point on it to paint in and around the oak tree branches. (Hint: Leaving a lot of white clouds in the sky means there’s less to paint!)
The lettering was added later at home where I had easy access to my computer and printer. I selected the font (Party at Gatsby’s), printed it out in the desired size, and transferred it to my page.
It felt good to finally have a chance to sketch a live oak tree. I’ve long admired the look of them, with their canopy of spreading branches that seemingly defy gravity. It’s amazing to think of how many hurricanes these sturdy sentinels have withstood over the years. And now I feel personally connected to at least one of them, since I spent a lovely afternoon painting its portrait.
13 Comments
I think this is one of your best paintings. I love it. It is loose, but detailed. Complete but with areas for our own minds to fill in. The sky, the tree, the building, the composition, is perfect with lovely color choices. My eyes are drawn to cover every inch of your work in a slow pace to appreciate each little bit. Even the writing and border are just right. Not too fussy. The whole painting is a masterpiece.
Thank you for your encouraging comments, Lin. You brought a smile to my face. I’m so glad you enjoyed the sketch.
Wow, just beautiful! Your talent and creativity are breathtaking. You inspire me to keep on trying, thank you for letting us ride along with you. Patricia
Isn’t that what we’re all doing? 🙂 We feel a need to do this and we keep on trying, despite the challenges. Sometimes, we paint a winner, and that feels really good, doesn’t it? Let’s keep going together!
Stunning Leslie!! Your paintings in your sketchbook are always fun to see. I grew up in FL and S GA, so I am very familiar with the live oak trees and Spanish moss – you captured them perfectly!!! Looking forward to seeing and painting with you in Belgium soon! Thanks for sharing.
I love the live oaks so much. Each one is different from any other, just like people! It’s just so cool the way they twist and turn and spread. They grow old and gnarly, but that just makes them even better. Wish they grew in PA.
PS – I’m working on the handbook for Belgium right now. Lots of good lessons for us to tackle painting historic Bruges.
Absolutely love this Leslie!!!!!
Thanks, Beverlee!
This is so cool! I recognized Gamble Plantation instantly – what a treasure! My mom and I were on vacation in Florida and we just happened to find this on a historic website. I LOVE how you painted the massive live oak. What a treat – we’re in the middle of a snowstorm here in Maine and you’ve brought some Florida sunshine to us. Thank you!
It was sure a nice break from the grey winter weather we’ve been having here in PA. I enjoyed being able to sketch outside in the sunshine when I was in FL. But spring is on its way! It’s supposed to get up to 70 here tomorrow – woohoo!
So beautiful and realistic !
This is the subject of one of my mother’s oil paintings. Love the you’ve approached the subject. Its a wonderful painting. Thanks for all the detailed tips on adressing follage, tree bark, etc In watercolor.
I wish you well in your future art adventures and thank you for all the tutorials and lessons.
Nice. I enjoy your work and articles. Brings back memories. My folks and I spent a winter in the late 50’s at a cabin/trailer park just up the road from the plantation. I went by there every day to school in Palmetto.