Basil Time
When the basil in our garden comes into full force, it’s time to make pesto and caprese salad and fresh tomato pie. But first, it’s time to sketch. I wanted to try something different here to bring out the shapes, patterns, and summer colors of the basil. And now, to the kitchen! 
(Click to view larger)
Tips and Techniques– Sorry I didn’t take a photo of the initial pencil sketch and first layer of wet in wet wash. But this shows the progression thereafter of painting mainly the negative spaces between the plants and adding additional shapes to suggest layers of basil in the garden. I find this technique especially useful for foliage. Deciding when to stop is sometimes difficult…I probably could have stopped at the second image, but I wanted to see what would happen if I pushed the darks.
Drawn In 
Basil! One of my favorites! Even more delicious in your negative rendition. Beautiful!
Thanks Erica— hope you enjoy your fair share of basil this year!
I’m so glad you didn’t stop with the first rendition – those darks are mysterious and delicious!
I like getting lost in this type of painting. You can just keep going and going.
Very interesting to see and compare the different stages of the sketches, thanks for that! I think I too am happy you didn’t stop after the second layer. Hope you can enjoy your day today! Many greetings, dear Jean!
Hi Liiza- maybe the blue layer was a bit heavy handed, but you never know. I do like pulling additional shapes out of the background and creating a sense of depth. Have a good one!
To be honest, I was more interested in the fresh tomato pie! ;D We grow our own tomatoes and basil and are fortunate to have wondered some years how to use them all. Pizza, all sorts of salads, roasted for a pan sauce or fresh tomato sauce, tomato sandwiches on and on. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of fresh tomato pie so thank you for that. I immediately looked up recipes. Seeing the progression of the sketches as I have said before is so enjoyable. I, too, am glad you didn’t stop because the last one is perfect to me. I think I can smell it!!
Dawn–Check out the recipe for New England Tomato Pie that I posted a few years ago. It’s great! https://jeanmackayart.com/2016/09/02/tomato-deluge/
It looks wonderful, Jean. Plus the art work is pretty darn delightful too!!
I plan to make it myself this week.
It’s purely wonderful how you bring your subject to life, Jean! Beautiful!
Thanks so much Peter!