Share to XI started a small painting based on this reference photo from our recent K’gari Island trip.
I’m doing this painting just for the joy of it. I have no grand plans and I don’t want to spend hours on it. I want to keep it fast and fresh.
The problem, though, is… how do I capture all the information in this subject without getting lost in the detail? Particularly with the intricate ferns around the middle, which seem painfully complex and unforgiving.
My plan is to carefully identify and capture the few details that carry most of the weight and realism, and simplify the rest. So in this case, I’d say those important details are:
- The fern leaves in direct sunlight, with their brilliant yellows and greens. This is the focal point of the painting. (Indicated in green below)
- The cool blue-green highlights on the fern leaves. This is light reflecting from the open blue sky. It’s weaker and cooler than the direct sunlight. (Light blue)
- A few of the sharp, dark accents (not all) for the nooks and crannies. (Dark blue)
- Those two areas of rich brown on the underside of the fern leaves. I believe these are spore patches. (Brown)
- A few light-gray highlights to suggest the dead leaves. (Purple)
If I can successfully capture these things and a vague sense of the surroundings, then it should look like a fern without having to do much else.
Well, that’s the plan anyway. I better get to work. I’ll let you know how it goes.
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Regards
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
