It was a very busy day at Descanso Gardens for our plein air paint-out. Spring Break for some schools and the gorgeous spring flowers brought quite a few busloads of kids and sight-seers. There were a few from our group painting in some other areas but five of us decided to stay on the Magnolia Lawn near the entrance. The small lawn area is protected from the main walkway into the gardens by a lovely espaliered "fence" of trees. It feels secluded, and the best part was that a few magnificent cherry trees were blooming there. The bright plink blossoms were at their peak! Wow! It was "raining" pink petals.
I tried painting the cherry trees in watercolor. I knew it would be difficult to capture the brightness of the pink petals with transparent paints. I also painted a small gouache, 5x7" from my painting spot. It's looking out through an archway from the lawn toward a planter planted with California poppies. Thinking about it now, I should have tried the trees in gouache and the archway in transparent watercolor. The group will be returning to Descanso and I know I'll have opportunities to paint more views.
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| 8 x 10" watercolor |
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| 5x7" gouache |
Wow, what a splendid location. Funny, our cherry trees finished blooming in April. These are both beautiful paintings. What color did you use for the pink?
ReplyDeleteThank you Terry! This was painted in April, I'm behind posting it. I used WN Permanent Rose for the pink.
DeleteTwo very different paintings from a lovely location by your photo. Always great shadows from you Sherry
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorraine! It was a beautiful location that day.
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