Decaying Leaves

Found these decaying leaves on a neighbourhood walk. There’s something grounding and soothing about painting what’s vanishing, to see the structure that remains after the brightness has gone.

Quinacridone Gold gave a rich and almost exact (too easy) hue for the leaf on the left, while granulating Burnt Sienna brought warmth and texture to the middle leaf’s layering and texture. I dropped in Sap Green and dark flecks of Burnt Umber mixed with Ultramarine to echo the small bruises of mould and time. The right leaf is a smoother mix of Viridian and Burnt Sienna.

Tip: Jot down the colours used next to the painting - a priceless tip learned at a watercolour class.

Pigments used:

• Quinacridone Gold

• Burnt Sienna

• Sap Green

• Burnt Umber

• Ultramarine

• Viridian

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Watercolour study of decaying magnolia leaves. Quinacridone Gold, Viridian, Burnt Sienna. A botanical observation of colour and decomposition.

🌿 Field journal trail → Gum Leaves | Decaying leaves, paintings in May | Red Leaf