Starting with my palm tree I drew a simple sketch on watercolour paper.Then traced it and made a copy on more water colour paper.

Then I photographed the first painting as each colour was applied.

And finally made lines and cross hatch to improve the depth.

The second painting was much simpler and quicker. I just painted everything in its corresponding complimentary colour.

Then the fun of using all the techniques I have been practicing this month double and sometimes treble exposing photographs. But this time the photographs are of quickly rendered water colour paintings.

Two clear favourites emerged after an afternoon’s digital tinkering.

So much serendipity is built into these images. #1 narrowly wins because I love the sharp shadows that have been created by being off-registered. The image suggests a hot summers day.

#2 more perfectly aligned is like a different time of day.

I have two painting days scheduled for this week. I think the next one will be spent doing either a portrait or a nude. All that from a potted palm in February.

And saving the most exciting fact until last. The sunshine made its way into the studio for several hours today. That is certainly a sign of the ‘S’ word creeping up behind late winter.