The Weeping Willow

How fun to come back from an awesome family vacation and meet this family of four children.   This GORGEOUS painting was a collaboration of all the kiddos as a gift for mom.  Mom knew about it so was able to choose what we would paint, and request an image full of sentiment.   Really, I think the sentiment behind this painting is my favorite part.

This lovely crew is from out of town, so while they were here, we worked together 3 days in a row to create two special masterpieces, one for mom and one for grandma.  My first introduction was with 4 year old "B" to begin our bases.  He was the "sky man" on mom's.   Here we are, working to use vertical strokes to blend warm colors for the sky.  "Up and down!"

And after lots of great vertical strokes (and a couple four year old free style ones :), "B" happily posed with the beginning of a masterpiece!  Love the smile!



Next up was just turned 7 year old "S".  He would paint in the grass.  He began by simply painting across the canvas like his little bro, and then used a blotting technique to add texture to the grass.

This kid has the BEST hair!  Remember it, because I'm going to share a golden quote about his awesome locks from his older brother that was GOLDEN!

Now we were on "S's" final step for the day, the wheat field.  Mom's FAVORITE color is yellow, and "S" knew it.  The wheat field would pull in her favorite color and continue to add warmth to the painting.  I think it is adorable how when children are painting, so many times their little tongue sticks out as they concentrate.  Just too cute!

After filling in the color, I had "S" use small upward strokes to create the look of a wheat field.  Row after row we go!

Wow "S"!  Great job!  Background is now ready for the bigger kids!

My next session was with 10 year old painter "J".  I love this age, and thought is was so funny how mom told me that his favorite art projects involved whittling and a desire to do woodworking.  Funny, because I taught a group of 10 year old boys in art and they were requesting the same things (as well as graffiti art :)

"J" was such a fun conversationalist and a great sport about painting too, despite the absence of lumber!  His first task was to add more detail to the wheat field by highlighting the stalks.   He also softened the line between the grass and wheat field as well.

Here is the grass line.... "J" would do more on this painting, but he had a small part today!  Thanks for the finishing touches!


My final painter for the day was the adorable and sweet "H"!  Her little smile just melts you!   And her love of all things art was also evident!  She worked very hard today on a weeping willow tree.  They have one in their backyard and mom LOVES the trees and knew she wanted it in the painting.  So here is "H", following my pencil lines to paint the trunk in!

Next up was the time consuming project of the weeping willow leaves!  I would make little dots for her to fill in and we chatted and dotted for a good chunk of her session!   LOTS to build on!  She did an amazing job with all these leaves!

Before they got too long, I taped off her tree trunk and mixed a gel medium into the paint to thicken the trunk.  "H" used a palette knife to fill in the trunk, one of her favorite painting techniques!  Like frosting a cookie!

Then, using a bamboo skewer, she etched in mom and dad's initials to the tree!  "J" told me later that at home, there is a board for shooting practice on the tree instead, much to his mom's chagrin, :) so I think "H" gave mom her ideal vs. her reality!  ha!
"H" then added in a layer of gel paint to the branches and more willowy leaves too.  Then, off came the tape, and we called it a wrap for the day!

I love how this beautiful girl matches the painting today!

The next day "J" came over to complete the painting!   Mom's request to have a child silhouette flying a kite at the property line would remind her of their family tradition of flying a kite on Easter.  I outlined the silhouette for "J" and he painted it in!

Then "J" used the gel medium for the kite.

This would make it shine and pop off the painting a bit.  We had two goes of the kite- "J" carved in a cross to the kite (perfect for an Easter message!) As little as it was, the details were tricky!  Kudos to "J" for his careful work!  Then, "J" helped bring down the weeping willow leaves closer to the ground.   As he worked, he commented that the tree's leaves reminded him of "S's" hair!   ha ha!  Mom, another sentiment for you!

 Then "J" tag teamed with sister "H" and she came over for some last little bits!   First, she painted in the initials.  Then, using a fine tip sharpie, she traced in the kite tail and string.

  And then, we called it done!  Mom had provided a PERFECT frame to set off this painting.   Just beautiful!

Now everyone came back and signed and posed with their amazing masterpiece!   It was such a joy to work with these sweet kids!  What a very happy week!  Thank you all for your hard work!  It certainly paid off!

Happy and...silly below :)

Mom, you have a beautiful painting, to go with your beautiful family!