Gnarled Juniper at Sunset - Paint by Numbers Kit

A single juniper twists out of red slickrock like a slow-motion dancer, its trunk split into two silvery-grey coils that spiral up toward a rounded cap of blue-green needles. The tree is the whole story here, and the sunset makes the most of it. Amber light runs down the western edge of the bark while the rest of the wood stays cool and ashen.

Behind it, the Canyonlands landscape falls away into layered mesas, purple-shadowed distance and a thin river catching the last glow beneath a low, pale sun. The palette moves from burnt orange and rust in the foreground rocks to apricot clouds and soft lavender-blue sky. That gives you plenty of blending practice, especially along the trunk where grey, cream and gold meet.

The big, sculptural shapes make this a good fit for hobbyists who like to settle into a long, unhurried session. Beginners will find the large areas of bark and rock forgiving. It also makes a fitting gift for anyone who loves the desert Southwest and its national parks. Pick up your brush and give this old survivor a place on your wall.