Hello Everyone! Last time I talked about working on a painting. This painting began during a visit to the mountains, although I didn’t know it as such then. It all started with the tree. Then, slowly, a painting formed in my head, accompanied by the beginnings of a story. After a fair amount of prep work, I was ready to paint. After our last visit to the Sierra Mountains, I added the final touches to the picture. The beginning in 2020 and the ending in 2024 both came from the mountains.
During that visit in 2020, I noticed this tree outside the window of our cabin. I drew it in my sketchbook at the time. I was very sure a story would come to me some day, and that this tree would be a part of it. This year, out of nowhere, it appeared – a story about a dragon and the tree.
Once I finished the drawing, I scanned and printed it out so I could color it with color pencils. That gave me a basic idea of what colors I would use and how I would layer the colors.
I did a small watercolor painting before starting the larger one. This was a good way to make sure of the watercolors I would be using on the larger painting.
I love dragons, so I hand made the green book ( handmade clothbound journals in my shop ) for dragon paintings only. This was just the perfect addition to that book.
The original painting did not have the background mountains. I added them after my last visit and trek to the Gaylor Lakes in Yosemite High Sierra. The surrounding mountains there inspired me to add mountains to the picture.
Let me just say this out loud – I hate using masking fluid. I avoid using it as much as I can. It can stain the paper, and applying it is not easy either. This time, however, I had no choice. I needed to keep the tree white. Some of the branches are really thin and small. There was no way I could paint around them without staining them with the surrounding colors. I had a mishap with my first prepped picture while applying the masking fluid. It damaged the paper enough that I had no choice but to retrace the drawing on a new sheet and restart.
With both the pencil colored drawing and the small watercolor painting beside me as a reference, I started painting. Since I work by layering, it took me many hours to finish this 8″ x 10″ painting. All the prep work I did really helped.
I do love dragons. I think of them as gentle and solitary creatures. Every story in my Girl and Her Cat story book has at least one dragon in it. Each dragon I draw has its own little story.
Story time
The blue dragon comes to visit this tree once a year, every year. Around that time of the year when mountains are wrapped in solitude, she flies in during the early evening hours. She sits at the shore, and spends the night there longingly looking at the white tree. Once dawn breaks, she flies away, not to be seen for another year.
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please consider paying a visit to some of them.
47 thoughts on “The Dragon And The Tree”
Kirstin November 7, 2024 at 07:12
I’m always a week late commenting…the days just speed by and then the next Friday is upon me and I’m like “shoot, I didn’t go comment”..ugh. That dragon painting is beatutiful. WoW.
Darlene Foster November 4, 2024 at 04:41
I love this painting and the background of it. It would make a great picture book. Visiting from Senior Salon Pit STop.
Pam November 4, 2024 at 04:15
That is beautiful! I love that you give the dragons stories. What beautiful colors and mood.
Natalie November 2, 2024 at 15:50
Beautiful art work and story, Soma. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
Serens Bear Blog November 2, 2024 at 08:14
Wow, love this. I have a soft spot for dragons. I love the colours so much.
Anne November 1, 2024 at 07:53
I love reading the story of the painting and how you created it.
Writing Sparkle November 1, 2024 at 06:28
The dragon and tree image would make a nice puzzle.
Debbie Harris October 29, 2024 at 15:27
You are talented Soma and it’s awalys good to learn more about the process of creating art. Many thanks for sharing and joining our linkup #Teamwwwhimsy
Sue Women Living Well After 50 October 29, 2024 at 15:16
Oh my goodness, you are so creative and talented. I enjoyed reading about your process. I feel the same about dragons as you. I’d rather our version than the fire breathing kind! Thanks so much Soma for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy and have a lovely week. Sue L #TeamWWWhimsy xx
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs October 27, 2024 at 09:45
I love your dragon and the thought of her yearly visits to the white tree. You are incredibly talented Soma. xx
RachelSwirl October 26, 2024 at 07:36
You are such a talented artist, this is so impressive! Thanks for sharing and for taking part in #MySundaySnapshot.
Sarah MumofThree World October 25, 2024 at 23:09
Your painting is beautiful and I loved reading about the process of working towards such a detailed painting. Have never heard of masking fluid before, but can totally see why you would need it to keep the tree white.
D. October 25, 2024 at 10:35
That’s a sweet creation and a sweet story, Soma. How lovely that you were able to go back to that drawing of the tree and create a whole landscape, there.
Also, I like the idea of treating the copies of the drawings with different mediums.
Have a lovely weekend! :)
Alison October 25, 2024 at 00:55
This is such a beautiful painting Soma, and I love your story of the dragon visiting the tree.
I love dragons too, and your blue dragon is simply lovely, as is the tree.
We are on holiday on the Devon coast this week, and I love to spot creatures in the landscape. Yesterday I saw the tree bent over in the wind that looked just like a dragon. Even hubby agreed with me.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Alison
Lydia C. Lee October 23, 2024 at 12:57
Beautiful! #WordlessWednesday
Comedy Plus October 23, 2024 at 06:44
So beautiful. I love dragons. You’re most talented.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
Traude "Rostrose" October 23, 2024 at 03:11
Your painting looks great – and it is very interesting to see your path to the finished picture!
All the best from Austria, Traude
Sallie (FullTime-Life) October 22, 2024 at 12:07
What a lovely story to go with your beautiful illustrations. Thank you Soma for sharing your talents. You bring smiles for the beauty and also for all I learn (as a non-artist) about the arts of painting and book-making.
Veronica Lee October 22, 2024 at 04:39
I really enjoyed the dragon and the story behind it.
Your characters always have such rich details.
Happy Tuesday, Soma!
Timelesslady October 21, 2024 at 10:44
Aha, I have found another watercolor artist here on blogger. I am just about finished a tree painting also in watercolor. Hopefully, in a day or two I can post it to my blog. Beautiful work and painting.
A ShutterBug Explores October 21, 2024 at 07:22
Dragon illustrations are awesome ~ will make a great story ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Carol October 21, 2024 at 04:47
You created such a beautiful painting. I love the dragon and white tree. #MMBC
Kim Carberry October 21, 2024 at 04:45
Beautiful work! I like how the whole thing came together. The dragon is just fantastic! I love it.
a spirit of simplicity October 21, 2024 at 03:50
Very interesting to see how it begins.
Ruth October 21, 2024 at 02:20
So many beautiful details in your painting and I love the story.
#mmbc
Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie October 20, 2024 at 19:01
Hello Soma, your painting is lovely and the story behind it is, too. The tree is so special – I think I would visit it every year, too. x K
Bill October 20, 2024 at 01:35
Beautiful, I like how you formed the picture and story around the tree.
Sue October 20, 2024 at 00:44
Love your dragon and the tree, such beautiful painting.
Lavender Dreams October 19, 2024 at 13:29
You always have such great details in the characters you create. I love these and your special journals too!
Amy Johnson October 19, 2024 at 05:47
Wow! Amazing! I love how you show the process. So much work goes into it.
Eileen October 19, 2024 at 01:56
Hello Soma,
I love your dragon and the painting is wonderful. Cute story on the dragon and the tree.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Ps thank you for leaving me a comment.
Dixie October 18, 2024 at 10:42
Wonderful dragon and beautiful painting, Soma.
You really captured the look of longing.
Susan October 18, 2024 at 07:37
I always enjoy reading your process in doing sketches and paintings. I admire your talent.
It’s funny that my first impression of the sketch of the tree was some kind of serpent or sea creature. Then comes the story of the dragon flying in to visit the tree once a year. It set off a lot of scenarios in my head. Was/is the dragon lonely and did it think the tree was going to turn into a dragon? (I saw the resemblance in the curve of the lower trunk to the dragon’s neck.). Did the dragon hope the tree would grow bigger so he/she could build a nest? (The dragon has wings and flies like a bird.) Or maybe there is something about the tree that fills the dragon’s soul like the mountains fill yours. I could go on, but this is enough of my cray thoughts.
tomthebackroadstraveller October 18, 2024 at 04:56
…Soma, your artistery is amazing. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Erika N October 18, 2024 at 04:46
That is a fabulous dragon. It has me thinking of game of thrones or the spin off whose name I can’t think of right now. I hope you had some lovely time off and I bet the mountains were beautiful Have a great weekend, and good to see you back. hugs-Erika
Gillena Cox. October 18, 2024 at 04:19
Absolutely luv your paknting and a great little story to go with it. Happy weekend. Thank you for linking to AFFF
Cat October 18, 2024 at 03:15
That is so pretty!
I love the dragon and my brain immediately started my own story around her and while she visits that tree once a year.
Art that makes your fantasy go wild is something beautiful, thank you for that!
Cat October 18, 2024 at 03:15
I forgot to say I was visiting from Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot #78.
Have a lovely weekend!
Connie Griffin October 17, 2024 at 17:42
That is so cool that it just came to you, like it was meant to be. Wow your drawing is amazing as is the coloring, I can only imagine how long it took but it was worth ir, Beautiful job!
Mary October 17, 2024 at 16:55
That’s lovely, Soma. Your dragon detail is incredible! I like how you were able to add the mountains AND how you were able to maintain the tree color. It does, however, sound like a pain in the neck.
Thistles and Kiwis October 17, 2024 at 15:07
Great pictures.
Christine October 17, 2024 at 14:23
This is lovely
Joanne October 17, 2024 at 11:27
Your painting is beautiful and I love the story that goes along with it.
Debra She Who Seeks October 17, 2024 at 10:35
Your painting looks positively magickal!
Granny Annie October 17, 2024 at 08:56
Love the Dragon and the Tree and the way you took us through the wonderful painting.
Karen October 17, 2024 at 07:13
I love your tree and wonder how did you come up with the dragon? You draw so well. Did you take classes or did it just come to you?
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal October 17, 2024 at 04:38
Awww I feel sorry for Dragon. :( Did you watch Game of Thrones? Ferocious dragons!
Your work is just lovely Soma. The process you go through seems intricate and very patient to me. You must love every step in spite of your hatred of masking fluid – lol!
Will you publish the girl and her cat stories?