Sunday Squash

Not many people would call a pumpkin a squash, but I just love alliteration. I can’t help myself.

I’m a few weeks late in finishing my pumpkin painting. Painting was supposed to take place on the first Monday in October, when Cheryl Bryan conducted her once a month tutorial. I had prepped my paper and packed my traveling paint kit, but didn’t attend class. I was at a funeral for a friend that morning.

As the month wore on, I kept busy in the garden (and with stash-busting knitting.) So, it’s today that my pumpkin painting is ready to be viewed.

My reference photo is by Megan Lee, who generously shared it on Unsplash.

Thank you, Megan.

What attracted me to this image was the background primarily. I liked that the pumpkin is still in the pumpkin patch, surrounded by its vine, whose leaves are changing to yellow. The white tendrils (or roots?) which are visible throughout the image keep the eye moving through the scene.

My goal was to capture a spooky feeling, along with the intense highlights, as if a beam were focused on the pumpkin – the star of the show.

Did I achieve the goal? I believe so. What do you see?

Painted on Arches cold press using Winsor yellow, Winsor green, transparent orange, alizarin crimson, burnt sienna and ultramarine blue. White highlights emphasized with Dr PH Martin’s bleed-proof white.