Autumn Splendor!

We recently took a trip "up North" to visit with family in North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. The trees were spectacular! Such amazing colors - especially through the mountains of the Carolinas! Just prior to this trip, granddaughter and friend found some wonderful Fall leaves and I am smitten. I have begun a series of single leaf illustrations. One is complete, one is in the color stage, and on one I have just completed the inking stage. Here is Autumn Leaf #1:

I am loving that yellow! I am not sure what tree this came from. None of the trees in our yard look to have these.

Next is the beginning of a dark, flaming red one:

I am so loving this one! The picture is a little dark and I promise to lighten the finished one. This has bits of yellowish tan in it along with brown and black on this glorious deep red background.

On this third one I have just finished the inking. I used a combination of both brown and black ink. I am still deciding if I like it. I will definitely finish it as I do like it that much. But I have yet to decide if I will do another one like this.

I am anxious to see how this looks when painted. It has a lot of dark olive green on it with some deep salmon colored areas. I am experimenting with the background on this one, too.

It was hard not to collect thousands of Fall beauties while up North. But I had to stop as I have a lovely collection and hope to be able to do them all!