Today on Youtube I am heading into a deep dive into the past on how to paint palm trees. In July of 2019 I was newish to Patreon and held a livestream Youtube lesson for my students, painting these pretty palms in soft pastel.

Back in the days of yore (before Zoom everything), the only way to really go “live” was via your phone on Youtube and this livestream video has long been in archive purgatory. Just think of all we’ve experienced since 2019! Some great, a lot not great, but thankfully (and hopefully) we’re still painting.

 Uart Pastel Paper

I painted this piece based off a reference (and also a Plein air painting) from Hilo, Hawai’i! 

I worked with my reference image on my iPad. I also used the original Plein air painting (at far left). With these, I painted a small palette/color study. It is shown here at bottom right before the live stream to make sure my palette was chosen.

Black Artist’s Tape

I didn’t work much on this piece after the live stream ended (it’s a miracle! haha!) But did slightly adjust the “main” palm.  Using a negative painting painting technique, I carved back into these shapes. It is so fun to see the palm reveal itself this way.

My palette was fairly simple – mostly analogous with a few complementary hues thrown in.  Hawai’i has so much GREEN and so I used several to build the layers effectively.

Good Greens | Great Blues | Awesome for Underpainting

I enjoyed going back in time to take a look at this piece. Learning from my own painting practice is such a beneficial way to teach yourself. I remembered things I have done, used to do, or had forgotten! I haven’t been back to Hawai’i since the references I mention, but it lives on in my heart and memories.  Painting those special times and places is the reason I paint.

Thank you for traveling with me! Mahalo and Aloha <3

xoxo,

B

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