Leaves and Blossom

Continued today with my exercise painting of a sakura branch. I don't know if I've mentioned it, but a secondary reason I call it an 'exercise' (besides being new to the materials and methods) is because it's a composite of two drawings done on different days. There is an obvious difference, because the leaves opened and spread out. (This image is in progress.)

I've decided to leave the background pretty much as it is, there's not a whole lot that can be done to smooth it out, as with these types of paints it's all about layering and building depth. From working so much with Photoshop, I'm already accustomed to thinking in layers, and I have in mind ideas for future work using these materials. Today was all about the leaves, I started layering on more color, a reddish tint around the edges, and darker green on the undersides. Also the veins, which should be a lighter color so as to be visible. Still, even with the progress, my mind wasn't really on my work, though I did go into the library and find some random japanese painting books to look through.