Oakleaf Hydrangea is a fresh, expressive studio acrylic painting that exemplifies Don Yaun’s signature approach: loose, intuitive color work built over a rapid, energetic process. This 10″ × 8″ work on gesso board began with a colored graphite sketch on the prepared surface—an experiment to add subtle warmth. A coat of acrylic gloss gel sealed the drawing, protecting it from subsequent wet layers and lending depth. Don applied a Burnt Sienna toned background quickly with a rag, removing light areas while the paint was still wet (sometimes using his fingers—visible fingerprints appear in the upper left and flower petals for added texture and immediacy).
Darks were laid in with Ultramarine, Burnt Umber, and Alizarin Crimson, followed by Sap Green, Raw Sienna, Cadmium Yellow, and Titanium White in varying degrees of transparency and opacity. Ultramarine glazes deepened the shadows and created atmospheric blue hints in the upper blooms. Color choices were driven by feeling rather than photographic accuracy—creating something new and alive rather than replication. The entire piece was completed in about 8 hours over two days, using a hair dryer to speed drying between layers.
This painting was purchased by Susan Maguire, a former private student of Don’s for several years. It now hangs proudly in her home alongside many of his prints (including “Introspective” his self-portrait). Don cherished watching Susan grow as an artist, and her enthusiasm for this piece made it especially meaningful.
About Oakleaf Hydrangea Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a native North American shrub prized for its large, oak-shaped leaves that turn brilliant red, purple, and bronze in fall, and its conical clusters of white flowers that fade to pink or tan. It thrives in partial shade with acidic soil, blooming in early summer and offering year-round interest with its textured foliage and exfoliating bark.
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