Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Leaf Well Enough Alone




















Oil on canvas--18 X 18
This falls in the "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" category. I was thinking I would start a little painting that I could work on for relaxation between portraits this busy holiday season. How hard can leaves be to paint? PRETTY DARN DIFFICULT!!! Well, once I started I couldn't stop. I chose a pile of leaves from my back yard and brought in the ones I liked that had just fallen off the trees. For a painting like this I wanted to make sure I had the leaves right in front of me. It wasn't until I began painting them that I realized how incredibly complex each leaf is; the colors so varied. They are amazing. Still to do: Figure out why I keep choosing such challenging subjects for my down time. I am a glutton for punishment.

9 comments:

Alvin Richard said...

Mind boggling....a multi-layered complexed composition with texture, light and a very warm color palette....WONDERFUL!
p.s.- the orchid painting is equally brilliant with all of the muted colors on the petal that is trying to disguised itself as white, and is nothing but.

Lisa Ober said...

Thanks, Alvin! I was exhausted when I finished this one but it was a lot of fun. Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Hope all is well with you and your beautiful work.

Carol H. said...

Wow, I love your work! You have a beautiful sense of color and I love the rich details!

Lisa Ober said...

Hi Carol! Thanks for visiting my blog and thank you very much for your compliment!

Anonymous said...

we must be related--fall leaves are the best! i use to compulsively collect them to and from class when i was in college. BEAUTIFUL painting -- wouldnt they make a great elegant placemat for the dinner table?

Billie Crain said...

Lisa, IMO nobody does realism in oil like you...nobody. when i look at these leaves i can 'hear' the crunch sound they will make if i should step on them. brilliant!

Lisa Ober said...

Hey Kelly and Billie! Thanks so much. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Billie, I wish they would actually crunch in the painting..I'd be sure to make some REAL money on that!

Lisa Lorenz said...

Hey Lisa..this is goregeous...Funny I just did a leaf painting..but man mine is nothing liek yours! LOL. You amaze me! So happy I found you! Lisa from Copenhagen who is now in Ottawa!

Lisa Ober said...

Hi Lisa from Copenhagen now in Ottawa! How are you? Thanks for the compliments! I just saw your beautiful leaf painting and now I am going to have to check out your whole blog. Didn't even know you had one! Cheers!