Big Tooth Maple leaf and seed.

Acer grandidentatum or Big Tooth Maple is a Utah native tree. It grows in many of our canyons, and has spectacular fall color. It has sweet sap similar to a sugar maple, and looks good when planted in groups in landscapes.

This is painted on polypropylene paper, which is non absorbent, so the pigment sits on top of the paper which increases the vibrance of the colors. The technique use to paint on this surface is similar to painting on calfskin vellum. It takes thousands of tiny dry brush strokes to build up the layers and textures of the leaf and seed. This technique is required because the paper does not absorb the paint of any layer, and a brush that is too wet can wipe off the previously painted layers.