Tumbling Leaves

Fall leaves have wonderful colors, and can be done in different techniques. These three were done in a procedure called 'dropping.' After the initial drawing in transferred onto a heavy quality water color paper, cover part of an area at a time completely with water. It needs to be an amount that is enough to let the paint 'move' around in.
Gently add drops of your preferred paint colors on the watery surface and let them run a little while steering them carefully with your brush, following the shape and the venation (the vains) of the leaf.
Once you like the way the paint has spread across the area let it dry and do NOT touch it anymore. Then go on to the next section of the leaf. Detailing can be added later on, when everything is completely dry. It is a rather free technique, but a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.

© Gusta van Dobbenburgh