LANDSCAPES IN DETAIL
HOW TO
PAINT...
JACARANDA TREES
1
Using a mix of Quinacridone
Magenta and French Ultramarine,
I began by applying some random
blobs, roughly suggesting part of the
tree shape. Don’t paint all of the tree
at this stage – we don’t want the
wash to dry.2
I’m painting this in much the same
way I would for a green-leafed
tree, but I’m using purple for the
jacaranda. Variety always adds
interest – here I varied the mix by
adding a slightly different colour to
the still-wet wash.3
Using a 1/4” sword liner brush
with a strong mix of Burnt Sienna
and French Ultramarine, I added
simple suggestions of branches into
the purple wash. Doing this while wet
ensures that the areas blend together
and that it isn’t clear where the
branches stop and the flowers begin.KIT CHECK
The good news for watercolour
and acrylic painters is that
everything you use to paint is
considered safe to take on an
aeroplane, either in the hold or
taken on as cabin baggage.
Unfortunately, things are not
quite so straightforward for oil
painters. Most oil paints are
permitted but solvents,
mediums and varnishes (apart
from those that are water based)
are generally forbidden and you
may also have a problem with
palette knives in hand luggage.
Most manufacturers have very
comprehensive advice online.
Tubes of paint carried on
board must be no more than
100ml capacity and fit into your
zip-lock bag along with your
toiletries. Easels or tripods are
also permitted in the cabin,
provided they are small enough.
A 12x16” (30x41cm) block of
paper will fit comfortably within
almost all airlines’ cabin
baggage regulations too.
I have flown with paints in
hand luggage and have never
had a problem, but the caveat
is that the interpretation of
otherwise clear regulations is
often left up to an individual
security officer and their
decision is final. If in doubt,
put everything in the hold.4
I repeated the first stages for the
other side of the tree. If your tree
is very large, split it into three or more
areas and tackle them in turn.5
I continued the branches to the
trunk and followed that down to
the ground. Add further flowers as
required to get a good balance.6
Splattering is a good way to add
random splashes of colour and
avoiding things looking tight. I also
added a few marks on to the earlier
flower wash – as this was now dry,
these marks had harder edges and
suggested flowers in front of other
flowers, adding a sense of depth.Artists & Illustrators 49