Hydrangea leaves.....

I've been working on a private commission lately, so I cannot post images of my most recent work. Nevertheless, I'm always on the lookout for reference material....as any artist should be! I never expected to find inspiration while raking the gazillion leaves in our yard. This hydrangea is growing on the side of our garage, and while dragging a sheet loaded with wet, heavy leaves, I spotted the sun hitting the leaves in such a way that it made me drop everything and get my camera. I think the hydrangea is prettier now than in the summer full of blossoms. I love the colors of the leaves, and I got so lucky that the sun was hitting the bush in such a way as to make it look like I had used some fancy lighting effects!

Doing a painting of "just" leaves might seem unusual, but

leaves, on their own, can be just as beautiful as flowers. I can't get over how spectacular these leaves looked today. I'm so glad that I had the camera ready to go. Painting these leaves, with their yellow green centers fanning out towards their wine colored edges will be a challenge....and loads of fun!