I’ve been eyeing palm trees for months now. Maybe because I grew up in New Jersey and used to deciduous trees, or maybe because they remind me of sun and vacation. The intricacies in each tree makes me stare at them forever. I always try to take snaps on my iPhone for inspiration. But this painting was designed purely on my own imagination.

I sketched it out yesterday in my sketchbook…

 

I then toyed around with a few color options and then faced my canvas to make this a reality. I’ll admit, painting palm trees intimidate me. Not even a little bit, a lot. It seems like a simple easy thing to paint, right? But after observing them for so long, I know they’re anything but simple.

The finished result was beautiful, if I do say so myself. I added a Dubai skyline in the foregrounds, and I just love the subtle tonal variations at the bottom of the painting. The palm trees in the focal point appear to be dancing. And I love the jewel-like trunks that hold them up.

Watch the video here.

Fortunately, this painting sold the same day I posted it. The new owner will be a teacher from the US here in Al Ain, UAE. I’m so glad she loved this one as much as I do!