So, today I went in search of a leaf with a little more color. Maybe it�s too late, I didn�t find many maple leafs in my front yard with much color left, so I resorted to one that had at least a little bit of green left.

Sketching this one was difficult because the leaf was curling up fairly quickly as I tried to sketch. I had to erase my first attempt and redo it because the leaf changed so much from when I started to when I was done.

After sketching, I again started with the shadow, this time in Payne�s gray. Then I put a pretty bold amount of Phthalo Blue and Hansa Yellow to make a green in the heart of the leaf. I blended that with some New Gamboge and Quin Gold around the edges, and used Phthalo Blue+Burnt Sienna for the grey on the exposed undersides. I�ll post a photo of the leaf after the first wash, so I remember how those bold bright colors desaturate as they dry, and as I glaze over them.

Once that primary wash was done, I added the veins, which was tough because my hand was shaking a bit. (Too much coffee!)

Then, I started layering thin glazes of yellows, oranges, greens and browns (Ruff!) softening the edges as I went. I used Bloodstone again for the crisp edges, it seems to be just the right pigment for that.

I dabbed some greys and browns (RUFF RUFF!) in a wet wash around the veins to hide the squiggles, and show some of the patterns I saw in the leaf itself. I spent a lot of time trying to replicate what I saw in the leaf, but wasn�t successful. I eventually had to give up on it out of fear that I would start overworking. (I think I stopped a biiiit too late as parts are overworked. Ugh.)

After surrendering, I let it dry, and then glazed in some shadows and more Quin Gold on the leaf to try to make it feel less flat.

I finished with another pass on the shadows, and tried to soften the edges a bit. I went overboard softening those edges, giving the impression of an additional light source. I guess that�s ok though, because I do have three different light sources shining on the paper when I�m painting. (I set up shop on the edge of the kitchen, so I have the kitchen ceiling light behind me, can lights in the ceiling above me, and a light from a ceiling fan in front of me. If I ever build the painting desk I want, I�ll need to make sure I leave room for a lamp!

Halfway through painting this, I mulched the leaves in my yard, so this might be the last leaf for now.