Breadfruit - Final

© Ellen Blonder

I haven't done much more since the last post, just added more detail to the leaves. It's time to stop fussing, though, and say this is done. After photographing the canvas, I did add a text overlay, but I don't think I'll paint hand-lettering on the canvas itself.

Breadfruit - 7

© Ellen Blonder

Today, I finally added detail to the cross-section of the breadfruit. I wasn't sure until now if I should even include it. As long as it was just a white blob, it looked distracting, but I like it there now.

It has been interesting to figure out how I might use this as an ingredient. After baking the halves, removing the center brown stem and peeling them, they're creamy and bland, somewhat like a cross between a potato and zucchini. I discovered if I cut the halves into chunks, they browned nicely in a skillet with a little oil, forming a slightly crisp exterior to contrast with a creamy interior. 

Breadfruit - 6

© Ellen Blonder

Coming along, giving the leaves some glossiness and other details. I'm eager to get the leaves done now that I have found a breadfruit and photographed it for reference. I've also baked it and am trying to decide what else to do to it. So many choices--breadfruit can be made savory, sweet, mild or spicy.

Breadfruit - 5

© Ellen Blonder

Got sidetracked last week, but I'm making slow progress. Still looking for a breadfruit that I can cut in half for reference. 

Breadfruit - 4

© Ellen Blonder

All the bare canvas is now covered, but except for the brown branch, everything will probably be painted over again, including the background. I'm still not sure about including the cross-section of breadfruit, and I'm still looking for one at the market.

Breadfruit - 3

© Ellen Blonder

Laying in first greens. More paint will be layered over just about everything.

Breadfruit - 3

© Ellen Blonder

I just had time to start painting first details today. 

Breadfruit - 2

© Ellen Blonder

 Today, I finished sketching in the leaves and painting in a rough background color. I'm still trying to decide if I want to have a cross-sectioned fruit in the picture, and perhaps some lettering. I do love the shape of these beautiful, graceful leaves.

© Ellen Blonder

Goodbye, Donkey, Hello, Breadfruit

© Ellen Blonder

I don't often give up on a painting, but I need to at least set the donkey painting aside until I can feel it more in my bones. 

Meanwhile, I have long been wanting to do a painting of a breadfruit I saw at the McBryde Garden last year in Kauai, part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. This is the first day's beginning of a sketch, on a section of a 16 x 20-inch canvas.