Holding On
I appreciate the last vestiges of autumn: curled beech leaves in barren woods; uneaten grapes still hanging from tangled vines; oak leaves that refuse to fall. They hold on until the bitter end. And why not? Why not go for one last day of warm sunshine; one final chance at glorious existence before letting go. Wouldn’t you?
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Drawn In 
Thanks, Jean,
I picked out some fallen oak leaves 2 weeks ago, all crisp and curled, right before the rain came. I knew that was my last chance to have a look at those special curled shapes that are there only in the fall. The leaves are sitting on my dresser waiting for a quiet period for me to study and sketch. Soon white and blue and gray will take over the land and I’ll be glad to find a reason to mix up some warm browns.
So true, Peggy! I sketched these outside — it was pretty cold, so I guess that kept my pen moving– and then painted inside. I do love the curled leaf shapes, and if you miss them, they’re gone for another year. Hope you find the time to paint yours!
Me too – the last rose and those roes hips that hold until through bitter winter days, the final, dangling golden leaves in a wood thick with dark branches…and your oak leaves, beautifully rendered. I have to say – I think I already said it – I really like to see the tools gathered around the finished painting – it draws me in even more, makes me think I could do that. 🙂
Oh, I’m glad you liked seeing the painting supplies. I did that because I’m traveling this week and didn’t have access to a scanner, so just took a photo instead. I also find it helpful to see what tools people use. Glad you’re seeing some last vestiges of autumn where you are, too.
Jean, your sense of design is always so spot on! Love your posts. Carolyn
Thanks Carolyn. I started this one with the leaf coming diagonally across the page, and then the leaves on either side. After adding the leaf on the left, it still needed a little something, so I included the small leaf at the top. Text last as usual. I wanted to leave this fairly stark, as per the season. Is it looking barren there, too?
I wish my hair had had this attitude. Oh well, too late now! 😊
But did you appreciate its last vestiges??
There wasn’t time to. It didn’t even stay long enough to draw! One minute I was a young man with a ridiculous bouffant of hair, the next, it had abandoned me to a shiny headed old age. Doh!