editor's note:  this material was presented live on 19 May 2002 in the EBSQ chat room.  Our next live event is scheduled for 9 June 2002.

I'm sure you've all seen the typical cypress knee paintings; santas, rabbits and gnomes.

 
But rest assured, this session is about looking beyond the obvious to bring out the small individual illusions that, when combined, create a unique and striking 3 dimensional painting.

What Are Cypress Knees?

Cypress trees have underwater roots (in swamps/bayous). Their roots have put out  extensions called a "knees", and Mother Nature has used the motion of the water to sculpt them into amazing works of art. 

These 'knees' are available in sizes as little as 6 inches to over 2 feet tall, and you have your choice of 1 or multiple peaks on each individual knee.
 
 

No two knees are ever the same...Each one is a limited edition. NOBODY will ever have a knee just like yours, and therein lies the excitement of painting them...AND the difficulties of describing to others how to do it.

Choosing Your Knee...

The first thing to do once you've decided to do a cypress knee painting, is to search them out at local flea markets, on eBay, and online suppliers. 

If ordering from an online supplier, make sure they acquire their supply legally (It is NOT legal to harvest knees from living trees).  There are suppliers who follow logging companies around, legally harvesting the knees of freshly cut trees... These are the ones you'll want to buy from.

Drawbacks Of Buying Online...

With online suppliers, you get to choose the size...but you DON'T get to see the specific knee you're buying...They just randomly choose it for you. 

I prefer to buy knees that I've actually seen so I can get an idea of what sort of shapes and illusions I'll be able to bring out of it.  Ebay is a great source because you get to see a photo of the knee you'll be getting, but remember, the illusions you see in the picture are not always visible in person due to the lighting and angle of the photo.

Another important thing to keep in mind...Avoid the knees that are described as 'raw', or where the seller doesn't mention that it has been "de-barked", unless you want a LOT of prep work removing all the bark before you can begin painting.
 

Transferring 3D Illusions Into 2D Realities...

If you are one to see pictures in the clouds, etc., then seeing the illusions in a cypress knee will be a breeze for you.  If you're NOT one of these people, then there are a couple tricks you can use to help you see what is hidden in your knee...
 

First… Study your knee under various light sources - This will cast new shadows which may remind you of something familiar; a body, a face, a basket, etc.  Once you *see* something, quickly outline it with pencil.

Or…If the lighting trick doesn't work for you, take several photos of your knee and print them out.  Then using a black pen, outline all the curves and light changes on the printed knee...

When done, again look for recognizable shapes, faces, etc., and even if they are vague, sketch them with pencil onto the corresponding area of the actual knee...you'll use your imagination to build on these partial images later.
 

Once you've sketched on your knee, all the illusions it has to offer, go over the outlines of your sketches with a black permanent pen.

Using Paint To Bring Back the 3D Illusions...

Now, using Acrylic paint, you can begin to lay in the colors. If you decide against outlines, cover your pen lines at this time. Once this is done, go back and add the rest of the details (faces, hair, etc.).

If you've opted to keep the outlines, go back over the outline of each image with paint, choosing to either blend for shadowy effects, or keep with the bold black lines.  Finally, go over each illusion adding highlights to finish your 3D painting.

Protecting Your 3D Painting...

After you've signed your painting, seal it with 2-3 coats of clear acrylic finish. I prefer to use a glossy finish because I think it enhances the sculptured appearance.

Just take your time, have fun, and don't be afraid of the more bizarre illusions...There's nothing quite like using nature's art within your own.