The First Signs of Autumn

 

I sat outside with a pot of tea and my paints to capture the first tinges of autumn coming into the landscape.  A cluster of scarlet Poison Ivy leaves climbing a cherry tree stood in stark contrast to the lush greens of late summer.  

First, I warmed up with pen & ink sketches of "Things Leaves Do." Then I made a quick pencil sketch of the scene, laid in color washes and details, and finished the page with leafy shapes, limbs and shading with a Micron pen.