Sparkling Canopy | A Million Green and Yellow Leaves Overhead

By Artbycedar

Here is “Sparkling Canopy.”

Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

The trees shown in this painting are red alders, which are native to the Pacific Northwest.

Painting in artist’s studio: Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

In the foreground, the leaves closest to us have distinct shapes, with the veins of the leaves visible in some of the leaves.

Detail: Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

As we look higher up into the distance of the tree canopy, the individual leaves become fuzzier and fade to soft masses of green and yellow up in the sunlight of the sky.

Detail: Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

The bright white sunlight playing across the countless leaves gives the painting a feeling of movement, like the light is glittering and winking across the canvas, shifting like a spotlight hitting sequins.

Detail: Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

A thick forest is visually complicated, with many small shapes of branches and leaves overlapping, bits of light and shadow constantly shifting. But there is also an overall order to it, with the trees all reaching in the same direction, into the sky, the tree canopies framing pieces of open sky overhead, the branches fanning out in repeated patterns.

Detail: Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

The details in this painting draw you in, making you feel like you’re standing right there in the dappled sunlight.

Painting in artist’s studio: Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

Contact me if you’re interested in purchasing a fine are print of this painting!

Sparkling Canopy. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee