Alberta Blue with Poplar Leaves 20" x 24" - not yet finished
A while ago I began this canvas with painting a blue sky which is typical of this part of Alberta where I live. I then began painting poplar leaves in fall, which is what the "forest" in our backyard consists of. However, I did not count for the difficulty of covering this blue with layer upon layer of acrylic yellow paint.
Finally, after at least 4-5 glazes, I decided that this painting was destined to become "mixed media", so I stared the leaves again - this time with oil paint. As you can see, it is about 2/3rd's complete - with some of the branches to be detailed, the stems to be completed, and some leaves to receive detailed vein work. However, I am now hopeful that it will be finished before I am very old... which it might not have been if I continued with the acrylic yellow over the deep blue.
Lesson learned: leave the spaces for painting acrylic yellow leaves WHITE canvas instead of trying to paint them over an intense blue background. It will take you YEARS if you don't!!!!
