TALLGRASS FIELD

 

The idea for this painting was simple, find an interesting view deep in a field somewhere. Fortunately there were quite a few places like this near where we used to live so I took my easel and set up looking slightly towards the east with a few trees nearby to keep me company. Since this one was quite small, the painting didn't take that long and after a period of reflection, I was quite pleased with the result. I had planned on doing a number of similar paintings like this one but like so many of my ideas, those plans fell by the wayside. I do have a few other paintings similar to this and now after having taken a fresh look at this one, will probably get to them and finish them off sometime soon. Size is 8 x 10 in (20 x 25 cm), oil on canvas.

THE ICELANDER - STUDY

 

This smaller study was for me unusually problematic inasmuch that it almost didn’t even get started. Almost all of my paintings begin with a detailed drawing, sometimes in my sketchbook, at other times on a separate sheet of watercolor paper. This I have found to be the best way for me when painting in watercolors or acrylics. Anyway, I had met this gentleman some time ago in Iceland and although we didn’t share a common language, I felt some deeper sense of affinity with him. His features and character made a great impact on me almost from the first time I met him and I asked if he would pose for me. Fortunately he said yes so I began to gather reference right there and then. My sketchbook studies done in pencil back then were a great disappointment and nothing seemed to work the way that I had hoped. So his portrait idea was shelved but over the years, I re-examined my drawings that I had done and more recently tried again. Unfortunately, it seemed that I still couldn’t get what I wanted although I used a better quality paper this time and tried drawing him from a few different angles. Eventually after becoming very frustrated, I decided that it just wasn’t going to work as a drawing and what I really needed to do was something in color! I grabbed a small sheet of paper that was lying around and after once again drawing out the head, began laying in washes and thin glazes. For some reason, I decided to use acrylic this time, perhaps because I felt that if there were any mistakes, I could mix up some opaque paint and cover them – something I hate doing! Fortunately I didn’t need to do that and after working on and off for a few days, I was eventually quite pleased with the results. Since I didn’t stretch the paper beforehand, the many thin washes buckled the paper quite severely which didn’t make my job any easier. And while I didn’t bring this painting to the level of finish I usually do, I still think it works well as a study and I certainly learnt a lot while doing it. Hopefully this and all my pencil studies will lead to a larger and slightly more refined work. Size is 9 x 12 in (23 x 30 cm), acrylic on paper.

LAKE REFLECTIONS

 

I started this northern lake painting with the idea of capturing the reflections of the sky in the water. I remember it was a warm day with passing clouds that continued to break up as the day went on so I had to work quickly with my initial color sketch putting down the basics of the scene and deciding how I would manage all the different areas. I liked the way that the cloud reflections were broken up in places by the lake plants and was glad that I decided to include them too. I just lightly indicated the sky above the horizon as I wanted this one to be more about the lake and the surrounding trees, most of which acted as a backdrop to the scene. I think the size of this one was 16 x 20 in (41 x 51 cm), oil on canvas.

AFTERNOON SKY, BLACKWATER

 

This is one of my older paintings so I'm not sure if I have posted it here before. Anyway, it was getting later in the day during an extended painting session at Blackwater when I saw these clouds drifting in over the water so I did a quick study there and then. Later back in the studio, I created this smallish painting working on the sky first since that was the whole reason for the painting. I tried to capture the effect of a still bright but lowering sun and its effects on the clouds. I especially liked how this created a highlight all around the edges of the upper clouds and since I was looking into the light, I kept the landscape relatively subdued. Size is 9 x 12 in (23 x 30 cm), oil on canvas.

EVENING SUNDOWN SERIES

 

This was probably the fist evening sundown scene I painted many years ago. I wanted to try and capture the light and feel of a particular day just as the light was fading from the sky. I set the scene nearby above a somewhat distant horizon along with the streaked clouds seen at that time. Surprisingly there was a little mist which I included in this study. This further helped create a little more depth. The foreground was a mass of young white pine trees and I kept the details there simplified so as not to detract from the sky. Surprisingly, I am still working on this series and currently have a few new ones on the go at the moment. Size is 9 x 12 in (23 x 30 cm), oil on canvas.

HARRIERS AT BLACKWATER

 

Whenever out in the field, I am always open to whatever sights, sounds or opportunities I experience. In this case I was painting a study looking across the water when two Northern Harriers appeared. Usually they are seen singly on migration or in winter so I was happy to see them flying in front of me. Later I decided to incorporate them into a painting. This oil is one of my medium-sized paintings and out of this, and the study I was working on at the time, came a much larger work. I think the size of this one was 18 x 24 in (46 x 61 cm), oil on canvas.

LAUGHING GULL STUDY

 

A few weeks ago there was a strong passage of adult Laughing Gulls through the area. Some of them were attracted to the nearby wetlands where I have been spending quite a bit of time gathering reference and observing the wildlife found there.  Amongst other studies, I managed to do this painting while one bird rested briefly before continuing on its journey. I have also been writing a weekly report on the things I see there which is now up to almost 14,000 words! Some days there is a lot to write about, others not so much and the place seems almost empty - especially during the hot summer months. It is always a rewarding experience visiting there though and I'm sure that later in the year, it will be a lot more exciting as migration starts up in earnest. Size of this one is 12 x 9 in (30 x 23 cm), watercolor on Grumbacher paper.