Winter trees oil on linen 35 x 45 cm.
When I decided to paint trees this year I wanted to paint the areas that are well known to me and quite close to home. This view is about three miles from my home in a very rural location, mostly farm land with fine small pine forests. I like the way the field is a bit enclosed yet it also open to the big sky above. I would say this was both a technical kind of painting in how I wanted to balance the cool grey sky with the warm detailed areas in the painting and a painting about how I felt on those walks I use to take often with my border collie Spot many years ago, the weather seemed to be very cloudy most mornings yet with the promise of warmth to arrive around noon. While I sometimes pass this area in my car I now tend to walk in the woods close to my home. I am pleased with the row of conifers to the right of the painting and the sky too. I used many layers of glazes to build up detail and a luminous quality in the foreground.
Happy painting to you all!
