Good morning everyone. I thought I’d like to share with you some winter landscapes I’ve painted quite recently. In fact, I realized I’d better hurry up, as everyone is now spotlighting the signs of Spring!
Well, the image above is a mixed media piece I did instinctively straight after a short drive in local countryside. As you can see, the mist was fairly thick, and the sun just peeped through briefly in a couple of spots. Actually, I was quite fascinated by the tangle of bare, tree branches looming in and out of focus . And all this against the thick, soupy consistency of the off-white sky.
Winter Landscapes – Part One, the Instinctive Semi Abstract
Firstly, I scribbled some trunks, branches and random lines with a graphite pencil. And this gave me very strong marks, just what I wanted. Then, my idea was to lay in shapes in the negative spaces between the branches with acrylic paint. But the paint wouldn’t quite cooperate – I think it’s time I tried water mixable oils! However, I used what I had, sketched in some grasses and so on. Then I put some detail into the tree trunks with sepia ink, applied with a tiny brush.
A Winter Scene – Part Two , the Plein Air Sketch
And this is the other one of my winter landscapes – a watercolour sketch I did en plein air. To be honest, the ‘air’ was very cold! So I spent 20 minutes sketching from life, then painted more layers of washes at home. Again we have the bare branches against the beautiful, subtle greys of the sky. But I hope you can see the difference between the two approaches to the similar subject matter. That is, an impressionistic, imagined painting and an on the spot sketch, staying close to reality. Which style do you think gives a more effective record of a scene?
We often walk in the grounds of Wentworth Castle Gardens (NT) and I love to paint the mock castle here and the other features, such as the rockery, see here if you’d like to enjoy the views.
I like them both. I especially love the trees in the second one. They look very wintery and stark.
Thank you, Claudia. I think you’re right – the trees are very stark at the end of winter, just before the new leaves start to very slowly appear.
Yes, it is as if they have completely exhausted their coping skills, if that makes any sense.
You are so insanely talented and I hope you know that <3
Thank you very much! It’s so kind of you to say so. I really love making art and I’m glad that you like my work.
I don’t care much for winter, but I always love winter landscapes! BTW, I switched to water-mixable oils and will never go back to the traditional paints.
Winter doesn’t bother me too much, but this one seems like it’s going on for ever. That will be my new year’s resolution ( a bit late) to try some water mixable oils.