This is probably my last warmup and exercise in the book from which I am learning: the Tate Watercolour Manual, Lessons from the Great Masters by Tony Smibert and Joyce Townsend.  The last lesson is about observation with remarks from John Ruskin a writer, art critic and champion of J.M.W. Turner, on of the masters discussed in the manual.

The assignment was to observe and paint a leaf. This is one area in which I have experience (Fallen Fig Leaf, Fall Fig Leaves, Another Leaf, Sidewalk Leaf, Crispier Leaf).  I am always on the lookout for interesting leaves. I was happy to have found one just the other day.

Warmup exercise:

Today, I combine the warmup exercise with the experiment. The leaf I found was dark red with touches of orange and glows of yellow. The paints I experimented below were carmine red, cadmium red light, burnt sienna and lemon yellow.

Warmup – Color Selection

I think I my selections were very close to the colors of the actual leaf.

Here is my composition:

Red Leaf on Pink Sidewalk
9″x12″ 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Block

Here is my reference photograph:

Red Leaf Reference Photo

My watercolor has a bit of a higher vantage point than the photo, due mainly to my inaccuracies in drawing the background outlines.

I am happy with this composition. It is a brief visit to my comfort zone.