Painting Lesson 2- Color Values

Painting the Tree of Life: First we will create a low-key background; then we place the Tree of Life on top, giving us high-key contrasts. After that we will wash color over both branches and roots of the tree using more hues, adding white to some, and mixing others up darker, softening the high-key contrast a bit but still keeping it active and interesting. After this we will place spheres of light and hearts- to illustrate that Spirit Helpers always surround us. I designed the lesson for you to be able to follow along and do the same basic painting- and hope you will ‘sprout out’ and individualize it as you desire and share on Facebook.

Background

Creating a uniform color wash background (but not too uniform)!

The Tree

Placing the tree on the canvas and free-handing the branches and roots. As I am painting the tree I am thinking of the trees that we get help from here on Earth, and sending their collective spirit- Spirit of ‘Tree’ gratitude. I am also thinking of the Tree of Life that we can use to journey to both the Upper and Lower Worlds- and of our physical bodies that have reminders of trees in them – the placenta looks like a tree; so do our neural cells!  Extra bonus: Look Roxy Paine’s ‘Dendroid’ sculptures- he says he is inspired by the neural system.

Color Washes

Creating an aura-like background to the tree- make sure the tree is all the way dry before you start the washes.

Final Step

Little Spirit Spheres everywhere! and some hearts…

Instagram Prompt

Take several pictures of your painting as it progresses and post on Instagram using  #Progress and #paintingonheartsideofbrain. Show one of them as black and White.