there is a free day at the SF Botanical Garden once a month, but I rather accidentally ended up there on the free day! I happened to have my painting kit with me and so I thought I would find plentiful subjects there. I wandered around the 55 acres for over an hour, ending up near the main gate where there were some magnificent crabapple trees blooming. I have never had a lot of luck or skill at painting flowering trees, but they were so beautiful I had to try again.
It was pretty late by the time I got back around to that location, and the sun was streaming over the lawn from a low point, making these great shadows that are really fun. It seems the trick is to simplify the trees, just making them into shapes.
Micaela Marsden 
M: I love love love this painting. Very dramatic but realistic, same time
Susan
http://susanfordland.blogspot.com http://Urbansketchers-bayarea.blogspot.com Instagram: susanfordland Twitter: @susanfordland
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Thank you Susan! Sometimes you just get lucky with the subject/light/paint etc. and just have to go with it!
Micaela, that is beautiful!! Thanks for the tips.
-Cheryl
Thank you and, I’m glad if it is helpful! Plumbing the mysteries…