Longtime readers might remember Arthur, my avocado tree. I did quite a number of watercolors whilst he was growing, from baby pictures when he was still on the bottle (the link is actually to Arthur Jr.’s baby picture), to the first attempted planting, to the time when I was able to sit under him in the shade (my foot, anyway). (More Arthur compositions: Arthur on His Own, Checking in on Arthur, New Growth, Tap Root.)

Today’s watercolor experiment:

Arthur is getting quite big. In fact a month or so ago, I was getting worried that he was too bushy, so I started stripping off some of the bigger, wrinkly leaves, It also happened that, in my enthusiasm to pare him down, I stripped off a top leaf, along with the top baby leaves. I couldn’t believe it. I took off his growth tip! I was very upset.

My attention has been directed elsewhere lately, so it was just yesterday that I noticed Arthur’s progress. His stumpy ex-growth tip was still there, but now there are about a half-dozen places where new leaves are sprouting.

As in yesterday’s composition, I started my sketch with pencil and used pen and ink for the permanent outlines of the leaves and to fill in details.

Arthur with New Growth
9″x6″ 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Block

I’m glad I took a photo of the watercolor at this stage. I tried to use my pen to cross-hatch a background, but, it didn’t work out too well. Nor did my attempt at fixing it with red wash, to attain maximal contrast with the green leaves.

I suspected that further work would ruin my composition but I don’t want to regard my studies as precious, so I tried implementing my new ideas. It didn’t work but I can always make a new drawing.