We just love the spirit behind this! Show us the law that says "feel guilty for tracing leaves." If Picasso could start a painting by printing with the fish bones from his lunch, we don't see any problem with tracing some leaves! If it gets you painting, it's got to be good!
Kristy! I had to tell you this. I was outside pruning my crazy Malabar Spinach. If you have never heard of it, it is a beautiful and crazy growing vine that is thick and shiny like a succulent and highly nutritious. The seeds it produces are purplish red. So I am cutting away wondering when it will freeze in Texas and it will melt when I see on my hands how the busted seeds were dying my fingers. Because you helped me learn to get out of my little box, I ran inside, smashed some seeds in a cup, added a touch of water and it acts like a vibrant watercolor. I am so excited to do a monochrome painting with it this afternoon. I looked on RU-vid and saw a couple of paintings some guys did and they are very pretty but just a few so I am also feeling really special about my creatuve realization as well. Thank you for helping me find some surprise joy!!
What a cool discovery! Thank you for sharing it. I always welcome out of the box inspiration. I also try to recycle or repurpose everyday items into my work. You took it to another celestial level! Best to you and your creativity.
Gotta Tell you that in the 4 years I have been painting, I collect the best leaves and make a n arrangement that I trace and then paint. Sometimes I do real colors, sometimes I paint them in kind of fantasy colors. I love doing it. I also still shuffle through thr leaves to hear them crackle And I am 78. You're never too old to let out your kid!
I know you don't really like metallics, but I think adding gold detailing with those bold fall colors, would be gorgeous! Maybe some gold splatters in the background. 🤷♀️ I'm sure whatever you do it will be beautiful!
When I began teaching art, I did this exact exercise as my very first class. I have done it in graphite ,colored pencil and w/c. Sans leaves, I gave out traceable templates of leaves that I traced. Just this past Sunday I did an Art & Nature class for kids with this project. So, some of the kids were quite old! We had a blast. LOUISE
It's late evening here now, but this morning was a beautiful blustery autumn morning and I took my little girl out and we did exactly this. We came back with armfuls of little colourful inspirations, dumped them on the dining table and grabbed our watercolours. I even upgraded her usual cheap supplies to Cotmans on Bockingford so she had the full experience!
I have been gathering and sketching leaves. I get caught up in getting all the veins in, but this is SO beautiful I can't wait to try it. You could put in light shadows that lift the leaves and stems ... they will POP! I love this!!
I have a couple ideas how to finish it. I don’t think I’d cut them out. I might take a very fine mica pen and draw in the veins of the leaves. Maybe outline them with a brown or black Poska pen. I might mat it on paper like the colors in your Mapleleaf. If I water colored the background, I would use a very light neutral color. I wouldn’t want anything that would distract from those beautiful leaves.
I did this last year on a 18x24 inch paper. I finished my painting by splattering some color overtop. Made it look like drops of water almost. Love this and want to do it again on a smaller scale this time.
This is one of the most really “ doable” projects you have done! There is no right or wrong with the leaf colors, they just sic and blend beautifully.! I’m pretty sure I’ll be outnumbered but I love the white background, letting the leaves truly be the stars of the show! I love your work and style. Before you, I had no real interest in botanicals, now I’m on board! 💖👍💐🌺🌻🍃🌿🪴
Hey lady! You totally got this. Tracing, scanning, photocopying are so up for grabs. I love to draw from life, but sometimes you just got to go for your intuition 😊
Loved this ❤️ one!!! I thank 😊 you for helping to unload the unnecessary guilt that can accompany the art world!!! One of the first "Rules" I learned was that there were NO RULES IN WATERCOLORING!!! Well, I took it to ❤️ heart!!! Of course, watching you create the fun and joyful watercolor spirit, is absolutely awesome! I just bought some - oh no - STENCILS... WOW!!! Some cute little Dover floral ones for children up to 110 years old! Also larger ones... I will have to color leaves and have that beautiful watercolor blend together ❤️ like yours... Thank 😊 you again Kristy for having fabulous tutorials that make my day!!! A California Gramma ♥️
I rarely comment and rarely finish projects to the end, at least the same end as the instructor does, but this one I enjoyed sooooo much I might even do it again and again. Just loved the creativeness I felt. So comforting.
I always freeze when the painting is finished, and then I feel the need to put in a background. I want to see how to do that! Thanks, Kristy...you're the best. Loving my new palette.
I'm in. This weekend I will go for a walk and look for leaves. I always think that the fall leaves look amazing against a bright fall sky so I would finish this with a light milky blue background with some lighter parts to emulate the clouds.
❤ Yes, I am going to try this with the leaves. I am currently doing hearts of different colors and dropping other colors in at the base to see what happens. I am going to cut them out and put them, together like a bunch of balloons with string, and make them into birthday cards.
You know I’m Gona try this! I think framing with a beautiful mat and give to someone special that really loves fall but hasn’t been able to visit the mountains or countryside lately. I live in NC on the coast and love our mountains. Always went to the Blue Ridge Parkway every fall. Wasn’t able to go the last 2 years as I’m the caregiver for my mom now. Recharge someone’s memories….I know I’m Gona try! Thank you for this great idea❤️
I have done many pictures like this. You have a new take of no veins, which I like. I’m watching all the juicy brights go on the paper, but you temper them with some neutrals. I need to remember to do this, too. What beautiful leaves!
What beautiful painting. I have just sent a link to this to the staff in my primary school - this would be a wonderful art session collecting the leaves from our grounds then choosing which to paint ❤️
Amazing easy and relaxing project! 😍 I definitely will do it with my kids and I'm not sure about the kids but I'll enjoy it for sure 😃! The painting should be fun and play not a pain. And by playing we become better each day. That's like a rule for success ☺️
Kristy, this was a really important exercise for me. It showed me where I'm letting my paints dry, it turned out really beautiful, I did a great watery and bold wash on the background - all the good stuff. Fun with paints and color! 🍂🍁Lisa
Thank you for such a great idea (and yes I traced my leaves too!) I finished my painting by outlining each leaf using the narrow end of similar-colored brush pens and left the background white. I love how it looks.
We have gorgeous fall colors in Canada and I’m trying this out for sure! I do love your fine line detailing to finish off these fabulous leaves! You’ve got me hooked! Thanks Kristy!
This is fabulous, love your ease and fun in your approach to this exercise, and of course as always your passion and excitement. I look forward to trying this exercise. Love your colours. TFS
I appreciate your enthusiasm for what you do and how you present your channel. I think if you could make it look like the leaves had fallen on a frozen water surface would be cool.
Oh yes. I am about to do this as my local art shop has just given me a 280 colour Daniel Smith dot chart!( I rather think he believes I am going to be his newest bestest customer! ) What better way than random leaves and your other leaf tutorials that use all colours to try out a truly overwhelming amount of colours! Addicted to the joy ?? Me??? xx
Going out for a walk right now to collect some leaves! Trying to get back my inspiration and see what I can do after having a stroke in late August. Thank you so much for reminding me of the JOY in painting!
If you painted more slowly , like I do, your paints would dry before you get to edges that would touch, LOL! An amazed how quickly and close you get to some edges yet leave a white space tho ever so slight of one. You have phenomenal brush handling skills. IMO
@@KristyRice I’m such an old dog, don’t know if I can move that fast! From my limited experience, I don’t know what to expect from the paints I’m using, where I feel you really do know how your paints will react. I’ve used only Daler Ronaly ( spelling probly wrong) as only thing one can find a Walmart’s. I recently not 3 primary tubes of Windsor New… at Hobby Lobby. First professional paint I’ve ever tried. I couldn’t get over the satin feel as I spread them on paper. Wish I’d taken time to explore these things when I was working and had the finances to have acquired these things and developed more skills. So I am trying to decide now what I can afford, or the biggest bang for the buck. I don’t particularly like to mix my colors, but like to have convenience colors. Mixing myself, I never know if I can remix for exact same shade. Watched your video of comparison of DS & WN. So much to learn. Your videos have been awesome ! Since I suggested more videos would be nice, could just be a coincidence, but I’ve noticed more popping up that are new to me. They have been great! You do such a great job with your videos, teaching, encouraging, all the while producing beautiful work. Keep up the good work and fun!
Yes, I'm going to try this! But even though I live in "north" Florida, we still don't have too many pretty Fall leaves here, so I'll have to find some reference photos! I think you should do some sketchy pen and ink on them! 🍁🍂🧡
I’m doing this!! Going to grab my leaves! I have no idea what to do for a background. This would also br fun to do a negative watercolor painting making each one darker as you go. For my background, maybe I’ll write “Autumn” somewhere. ❤.
I would leave the background white as it is, so the leaves stand out as they do! This is definitely a great wonderful art project to try. Thanks for sharing this with us. 😊
I loved this Kristy but I wish I could have seen the whole paint pan and the colors you were dipping in. I have your sweet little palette of half pans so it would have been great to know which colors and what time you were using them.
I really like this project. I was going to try and pick leaves - but where I live they have already all fallen - so I will draw from pictures. But I would love to see how you add a background colour to this....Thank you for giving me a little fall inspiration.
Hi Kristy, it's late in California but how fun would it be to cover your leaves with the leaves you used to trace them with and splatter either gold or multiple colors that way it won't detract from the beauty of your leaves. Just a thought. I am going to try this tomorrow. Keep um' comin' Patti O.
Profesional Artist 50 Yrs.... ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ""DRAW EXACTLY"" WHAT YOU SEE.... WHAT YOUR LOOKING AT.... DONT GIVE UP... BUY CHEAP COPY PAPER PENCIL & WHITE ERASER AND GET STARTED.... KEEP DRAWING TILL YOU FEEL ITS RIGHT IT WILL HAPPEN FOR YOU....✏ THEN WATCH A VIDEO ON BLENDING WATER COLORS MASTER THAT AND START PAINTING GOOD LUCK👍🏻
Then you can purchase a BETTER Sketch Pad And Water Colors and Water Color paper Your water colors & brushes is where you need to spend a little more on them
Same here. I can't draw. I bought a light board and works great. I get the general idea sketched out. The light shines through watercolor paper so works perfect.
Such a fun idea. Great reminder to keep things simple and relaxed. I think too many times we get ahead of ourselves and forget to enjoy the journey. May I ask, what is the maker of the mechanical pencil?
