Sunday, November 4, 2012

That Jacaranda Time again



This seems to come around faster and faster every year - jacaranda blossom time. They aren't as spectacular as usual in Johannesburg, perhaps because we've had early rains and I think the flowers need a little stress to perform really well - perhaps like all of us. I was not too stressed, it was a lovely sunny morning and I met three sketcher friends in a tranquil side street in Westcliff where we spent a relaxed couple of hours. I did exaggerate the purple, it was there, but sparsely scattered - hard to paint without getting finicky. I started with the bottom one in my watercolour Moleskine with rather a fat brush - a Van Gogh goats hair one that I 've loved for years but which has now lost its point and is losing its hair. 
I switched to some long neglected Caran d'Ache Neocolor II watersoluble crayons which I've never mastered (but haven't spent much time trying). With only 12 basic colours, the middle one is startlingly vivid where I put in street signs, bougainvillea, some yellow and orange  flowers and a bit of a jacaranda - I reined myself in a bit on the last top one of Alan and Marlene sitting picturesquely under the trees.
Previous posts on jacarandas are here, here, here and here if you're interested.

9 comments:

dinahmow said...

Well, you've got the colour right in the top pic. Some days, it really does leap out, doesn't it?
I have a stunning view of a very big old tree, as the road sweeps around the mangroves...and every time I see it I think I should sketch it.Maybe today, P. can drive and I'll take the camera.

Unknown said...

Wonderful work! I love the compositions. And the colors are so vibrant.

Sadami said...

Hi, Cathy,
Wow, beautiful and nice sketches! I love jacaranda, too!
They are blooming out in Sydney.
Kind regards, Sadami

Bev said...

The jacaranda blossom makes me really nostalgic for my childhood in JHB. I just love the colour.

RH Carpenter said...

I've never seen these trees in bloom - it must be so inspiring for an artist! You've captured tastes of the look for us = thank you! I like them all, even the more boldly colored one.

Cathy said...

Last year I was with you guys! You can't imagine how much I miss my sketching sessions in Joburg!!!

Cathy Gatland said...

Thanks so much everyone - Cathy we miss you too!

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

What beautiful trees. I would love to see purple trees. I checked out your other posts too. I don't know if we have those trees here. I will have to check into it.

Unknown said...

Love them all especially the top and bottom sketches.

I would love to visit at this time of year and see these for myself.