On the other hand there are many details to add and I decided to take liberty with my interpretations of how to create these leaves. In the beginning I created a number of different leaves and colours. However, I decided to revisit some of the details to make it look more cohesive and harmonious.
I also started using the miniature brush to add some delicate subtle shading and marks around the leaves to make them stand out.
1. Starting to add leaves to the trees
2. Initial end result - somehow it didn't feel quite right
3. I started to repaint the leaves again in the same shapes but make the variation in colours. One lovely thing about painting these leaves is that I could easily match the colours or vary the shades with the amount of water I mixed the paint in. Therefore I was able to create a variety of subtly changing shades and variety to the painting with just one type of leaf and one colour.
4. Our teacher Sam also asked us to add a gold border around the painting to frame it up properly. We did have to brush up a light yellow line first as the base colour, then it was water and gold paint brushed directly onto the line to create a beautiful (and not so straight) border. After we did it we used a smooth stone to rub the gold gently to make sure it is firmly ingrained onto the paper.
5. I also made a start on painting the person ( or is this a god?) and the cow ( holy?) on the painting under Sam's supervision, to ensure I get the right colour match and painting them in a delicate manner.
6. This is where I got to towards the end of the class. I shaded the branches with my Indian miniature painting brush ( the one tree trunk on the right only) and I still have plenty of blossoms to add. I plan to finish in my own time and share the final artwork here once completed.
