MATERIALS
• I use Chroma Australia and start with Atelier Gesso Primer over the canvas. Then I use Archival Oils and mediums.
Paints
• Cadmium Yellow Light
• Raw Sienna Dark
• Burnt Umber
• Cadmium Red Light
• Quinacridone Red Violet
• French Ultramarine Blue
• Cerulean Blue
• Titanium White
Brushes
• Bristle flats No 10, 6, 4, 2
• Sable round 4, flat 4
• Sable liner rigger 2
STEP ONE
After a sketch, the painting started with a very thin wash of colours to cover the canvas, then I was wiping out some paint washes and correcting the painting to get the composition to sit. Note that the tree to the right was wiped out and moved as well as moving the main focal point tree down the painting.
STEP TWO
When the wash is dry I paint back over the sky with the foliage in thebackground to keep it cool and cold, and then add in the base of the focal tree and secondary scrubs and add the water colour with the sky colour.
STEP THREE
I now build up the foreground with warm colours forward and cool colours moving back and blending into the background. All of this does not have much detail-it’s just a suggestion.
STEP FOUR
The shrubs and tree to the right are kept to just looking a little real. Then add a few rocks and a small amount of detail with the ground.
STEP FIVE
The main tree was created with fine lines then built up with thicker trunks. I just placed enough trunks and branches to give it interest and the focal point at the base to get you in.
FINAL STEP
To finish off I added just a few rocks with slight detail then the reflection of the tree in the water and just a dab of highlights in the grass in the foreground. My aim was to get the mood, atmosphere and feeling into the painting.
ARTIST’S HINTS AND TIPS
• Have a clear image of the finished painting in your mind’s eye
• Know the message you want the painting to convey
• Spend time composing so it feels right to you and getting the colour you want to complement what you want to say
• State your point of interest using the darkest darks and the lightest lights
• Vary your strokes. Vigorous brushstrokes will hold the viewer’s interest.
