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How to paint a palmetto tree 2 by kathy adams

Paint a Palmetto Tree 2 by Kathy Adams

31
STEPS
TOOLS

 I chose sunset colors for the background and will use super heavy gesso with Sorbet and Velvet mediums to create the texture.

I chose sunset colors for the background and will use super heavy gesso with Sorbet and Velvet mediums to create the texture.

Pick up a generous amount of Lemon Tart and super heavy gesso on a palette knife and spread on the canvas in short strokes. Alternate applying Tango, Persimmon, and Fiesta Velvets with the gesso.

Pick up a generous amount of Lemon Tart and super heavy gesso on a palette knife and spread on the canvas in short strokes. Alternate applying Tango, Persimmon, and Fiesta Velvets with the gesso.

Concentrate Lemon Tart in the middle of the canvas adding Tango, Persimmon. Fiesta and Rhodolite with gesso to the top and edges.  I also added a bit of Coral Sorbet for shimmer.

Concentrate Lemon Tart in the middle of the canvas adding Tango, Persimmon. Fiesta and Rhodolite with gesso to the top and edges. I also added a bit of Coral Sorbet for shimmer.

Layer Leaf, Limeade and Shamrock, to the bottom adding a smaller amount of gesso. Barely touch the surface with the palette knife to create interesting effects.

Layer Leaf, Limeade and Shamrock, to the bottom adding a smaller amount of gesso. Barely touch the surface with the palette knife to create interesting effects.

I repeated the process, adding more Tango and Lemon Tart,  in addition to pinks, Fiesta and Rhodolite Gemstones without adding gesso this time.  The colors are really vibrant in these areas.

I repeated the process, adding more Tango and Lemon Tart, in addition to pinks, Fiesta and Rhodolite Gemstones without adding gesso this time. The colors are really vibrant in these areas.

As a final touch, add a bit of Limeade to the greens on the bottom of the canvas.  Since the layers underneath are mixed with gesso, adding touches of straight color makes these areas really pop.

As a final touch, add a bit of Limeade to the greens on the bottom of the canvas. Since the layers underneath are mixed with gesso, adding touches of straight color makes these areas really pop.

Here is the canvas so far.  By mixing Art Anthology mediums and heavy gesso I stretched the mediums while creating beautiful pastels colors and great textural effects. Let the canvas dry completely.

Here is the canvas so far. By mixing Art Anthology mediums and heavy gesso I stretched the mediums while creating beautiful pastels colors and great textural effects. Let the canvas dry completely.

For the tree truck, I put Kona, Truffle, Pumpkin Spice and Terracotta on my palette. Start out using the darker shades adding touches of brighter and lighter shades for highlighting.

For the tree truck, I put Kona, Truffle, Pumpkin Spice and Terracotta on my palette. Start out using the darker shades adding touches of brighter and lighter shades for highlighting.

The palmetto tree has a different trunk than a palm tree. Its bark grows in a criss-cross pattern. Start out using a small, flat brush, alternating liberal amounts of Truffle, Terracotta and Kona.

The palmetto tree has a different trunk than a palm tree. Its bark grows in a criss-cross pattern. Start out using a small, flat brush, alternating liberal amounts of Truffle, Terracotta and Kona.

I ended the trunk about 8 inches from the top of the canvas. Make sure to use lots of paint and work quickly.  The paint needs to be wet for the next step.  You can work in stages if you want.

I ended the trunk about 8 inches from the top of the canvas. Make sure to use lots of paint and work quickly. The paint needs to be wet for the next step. You can work in stages if you want.

Using the short edge of a key card, create the criss-cross pattern while the paint is still wet, adding more paint if needed.  Add highlights using Portobello and Tango Velvets.

Using the short edge of a key card, create the criss-cross pattern while the paint is still wet, adding more paint if needed. Add highlights using Portobello and Tango Velvets.

Put scrap paper around the trunk to protect the canvas.  Splatter watered down Tuxedo Black onto the trunk using a fan brush or toothbrush.

Put scrap paper around the trunk to protect the canvas. Splatter watered down Tuxedo Black onto the trunk using a fan brush or toothbrush.

Here is the canvas so far.  I love all the texture and movement created using the Impasso technique. Time for the leaves.

Here is the canvas so far. I love all the texture and movement created using the Impasso technique. Time for the leaves.

I'm using 5 different greens and gesso to create the palmetto leaves.

I'm using 5 different greens and gesso to create the palmetto leaves.

Using a small, round brush, apply Basil for the stems and shadows and Shamrock, Limeade for the leaves and highlights. I created the leaves by twirling the round brush and using long strokes.

Using a small, round brush, apply Basil for the stems and shadows and Shamrock, Limeade for the leaves and highlights. I created the leaves by twirling the round brush and using long strokes.

Keep adding layers of green, highlighting the leaves with Limeade and gesso. I changed brushes to different sizes to vary the size of the leaves.

Keep adding layers of green, highlighting the leaves with Limeade and gesso. I changed brushes to different sizes to vary the size of the leaves.

After the leaves were finished I mixed Tuxedo and Kona Velvets together with a bit of water and splattered it around the tree. I often do this as a finishing touch to add texture and interest.

After the leaves were finished I mixed Tuxedo and Kona Velvets together with a bit of water and splattered it around the tree. I often do this as a finishing touch to add texture and interest.

Here is a detail of the finished palmetto leaves.

Here is a detail of the finished palmetto leaves.

The sides of the canvas were painted with a coat of black gesso then Tuxedo Velvet.

The sides of the canvas were painted with a coat of black gesso then Tuxedo Velvet.

I loved creating this beautiful symbol of summer and South Carolina where I live. To see the other palmetto tree  Snapguide that I created go here: https://snapguide.com/guides/paint-a-palmetto-tree/

I loved creating this beautiful symbol of summer and South Carolina where I live. To see the other palmetto tree Snapguide that I created go here: https://snapguide.com/guides/paint-a-palmetto-tree/

Thank you for visiting my tutorial.  For more information about this project, see the Art Anthology blog post at:  http://artanthologyinc.com/blog/?p=13103&preview=true

Thank you for visiting my tutorial. For more information about this project, see the Art Anthology blog post at: http://artanthologyinc.com/blog/?p=13103&preview=true

  • Velvets: Lemon Tart, Tango, Persimmon, Fiesta,
  • Terracotta, Portobello, Tuxedo, Kona, Truffle,
  • Shamrock, Lagoon, Limeade, Kona, Basil
  • Sorbet: Leaf, Pumpkin Spice, Coral
  • Rhodolite Gemstones