Joshua Tree Desert Colouring

The Joshua tree is a giant yucca native to the Mojave Desert of the southwestern United States. It is not a true tree, even though old plants can grow about 5 to 15 metres tall and develop thick, twisting branches. A young plant usually has one upright stem. After it flowers, new branches often form, gradually creating the wonderfully unusual silhouette seen in this picture. Stiff, sword-shaped leaves grow in dense round clusters at the tips. In late winter or spring, creamy bell-shaped flowers may appear when temperature and rainfall conditions are suitable. A Joshua tree grows slowly, and some individuals are thought to live for several hundred years, although estimating age is difficult because the trunk has no ordinary annual rings. This desert plant provides shelter, nest sites and food. Yucca moths are especially important pollinators, while birds such as cactus wrens use its branches. Small mammals may eat seeds, and a desert tortoise can rest in nearby shade. The Mojave can look dry, yet a spring rain may wake bright annual flowers. Joshua trees face pressure from hotter droughts, wildfire and habitat loss, so visitors should admire them without climbing, cutting leaves or disturbing animals. The scene shows a flowering tree, a cheerful cactus wren, a slow desert tortoise, simple rocks and spring blossoms. Begin colouring the thick trunk with sandy tan, pale grey or soft brown. Use a slightly darker shade in the natural bark lines, but leave open highlights so it looks sunlit. The pointed leaf clusters may be sage green, blue-green or several gentle greens. Colour the flowers cream with light yellow centres. Give the cactus wren warm brown wings, a pale chest and a softly striped tail. The tortoise can have olive, tan and brown shell sections, while the wildflowers can be yellow, orange, pink or purple. Try pale ochre for the ground, lavender-grey for distant mountains and a clear blue sky. Use short strokes following each pointed leaf and curved strokes on the shell plates. Keep the wide sky light so the strange branching Joshua tree remains the star of this peaceful desert spring page.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Choose a favourite colour palette
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Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.