I have just completed this painting, after having laid down the first brushstrokes in 2001! Sometimes it is good to let a painting grow slowly, just like the trees it portrays.
The group of Hornbeams are situated in the University of Durham Botanic Garden, and I have drawn and painted them several times. I love their rhythmic shapes and the way the group interact with each other spatially, with the steep hill beyond. Situated in a deep dell overshadowed by trees, the light has a golden-green hue giving the place a secretive feel. One feels the need to tiptoe by, not to disturb the trees in their Spring revelry!
This is a much larger painting than the one featured in a previous post, measuring around 70 x 50 cm. I used a beautifully textured thick tinted watercolour paper, and waterproof ink to add the linear qualities to the watercolour.
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NB: As my followers will know, I am highly concerned about the future of our Forests, and will follow with interest the progress of the campaign particularly at Save Our Woods. This article by European Trees about the government panel draws attention to urgent needs.
Ingrid Sylvestre English Landscape Painter Durham North East England UK Newcastle Teesside Sunderland Darlington Northumberland Landscape Paintings Garden Paintings Paintings of Trees and Woods and Forests Fine Artist Paintings for Sale.
16 comments:
Wow, that's a nice, and large, painting! It feels good to complete things.
Thank you Monica! Usually I work on paintings fairly continuously until finished, but sometimes it feels right to leave them for quite some time.
Beautiful painting. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Tanya - glad you enjoyed it!
Those trees are definitely dancing. How did you store the painting over the intervening years?
Anna, it's an amazing feeling standing near the trees themselves - they really do seem to dance!
I just kept it between sheets of blank paper - it doesn't stick, like acrylic sometimes does.
I, too, love the different trees you have artistically brought to life. I am glad you finished this project finally. Absolutely beautiful.
Your dancing trees painting is fantastic! I hope the forests will be able to stay safe in public ownership.
Thank you Paulie. It felt just like the right time to finish the painting!
Diane, thank you! There is so much to cherish in our forests.
You paintings captures the essential parts of Nature in an impressive way.
Thank you RuneE, I do try to express the essence of places and Nature.
It's strange, i see your trees like if they were practising some quiet yoga, and stretching after a long winter..Like if they were awakening..a beautyful painting!
Malyss - that is interesting! The trees do indeed feel as if they are awakening, before coming into leaf. Thank you!
For some reason, I thought of a gavotte when I saw your painting! Are there French spirits hiding in your forest?
Very possibly, Prospero! I shall think of this next time I am there!
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