Yesterday I did I a lot of work on this painting, it’s really quite a marathon as it’s so busy and I found myself wondering more than once what had got into me when I started it. Its still not finished but it’s getting more where I want it to be.
It’s hard to leave a painting when you see something wrong, there is that nagging feeling of a chord unresolved. That is why I’m posting again so soon. I just had to correct the things I felt were wrong. Maybe this is the last time but I wouldn’t bet on it.
I thought this painting was finished but decided it needed more work. Among other things I have added the blackbird and I can already see I will have to do a bit more work as he stands out as the star just a bit too much!
Sometimes a painting seems to paint itself and this was a delight to work on. I wanted to record the tree which is no longer there, hence the title.
There was a beautiful Blue Cedar in Hotham park, loved by birds but the Valentines day storm was too much for the huge tree and it came crashing down. Earlier I took a photo of this tree on a misty day. This latest work, still in progress, is in memory of that lovely tree.
The copper beeches have turned that wonderful dark mahogany colour and the greens are taking on that dark summer hue. The first stage of this painting is in acrylic but I think I will finish it in oils. I’m trying to get as much done as possible before we go away.
Starting a painting like this is one thing, finishing it is quite another. There is a saying which state a work is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration and I think its true! Yesterday I did a quick walk through the park and there is so much to see, it’s almost an overload for someone like me.
Got into the studio at 6 this morning and so far have done about 4 hours with a short break for breakfast. With this painting I am trying a new technique using oil pastels on top of acrylic paint and so far I’m enjoying it and will use it again. The winter garden at Hotham…
I got into my studio early this morning and did three hours work before 9 on this painting which is inspired by Hotham Park’s winter garden. I like to have several paintings in progress at any time to alternate between them. The willows and dogwoods give a real splash of colour in the dark days of January,…
I thought I might try my hand at making a digital print from one of my drawings done in the park and spent a good few hours producing this. Hmmm! The scan also highlights our need to get a new printer which is producing a nasty line down the image.
ritasspot, a blog about Hotham Park by it's Artist in Residence 