It has been mighty cold here for the last few weeks though the snow has gone...for the present!
This is an iPad painting based on a watercolour I did some time ago. I remember the morning very clearly. At that time we lived near York and this cold crisp winter morning we decided to go for a walk. There is something about a winter walk.
For a start the scenery is different. A coating of snow or heavy frost adds an air of magic to even the most mundane of scenes. The chill frosts your breath and everything seems clearer and sharper. Of course at the back of your mind is the very pleasant thought of when you get home...back to the warm fire and a hot drink..mmmm! But this was new territory for Merice and me. Though we had passed this plantation many times we had never stopped to explore it...until now. I love trees and forests. There is something about them that strikes a chord with all of us. I think this is probably a 'race' memory as our ancestors lived in forests for many years. There is also something almost spititual about the atmosphere in a forest. Needless to say we enjoyed our walk. Eventually we stumbled upon a small lake in the middle of the forest. It was frozen over but as the sun appeared over the tops of the trees the ice was gradually starting to thaw. As it melted it cracks radiated out from the middle which was the thinnest part of the ice...wonderful and just had to be painted.
This is an iPad painting based on a watercolour I did some time ago. I remember the morning very clearly. At that time we lived near York and this cold crisp winter morning we decided to go for a walk. There is something about a winter walk.
For a start the scenery is different. A coating of snow or heavy frost adds an air of magic to even the most mundane of scenes. The chill frosts your breath and everything seems clearer and sharper. Of course at the back of your mind is the very pleasant thought of when you get home...back to the warm fire and a hot drink..mmmm! But this was new territory for Merice and me. Though we had passed this plantation many times we had never stopped to explore it...until now. I love trees and forests. There is something about them that strikes a chord with all of us. I think this is probably a 'race' memory as our ancestors lived in forests for many years. There is also something almost spititual about the atmosphere in a forest. Needless to say we enjoyed our walk. Eventually we stumbled upon a small lake in the middle of the forest. It was frozen over but as the sun appeared over the tops of the trees the ice was gradually starting to thaw. As it melted it cracks radiated out from the middle which was the thinnest part of the ice...wonderful and just had to be painted.
This is the watercolour I did then. The original quickly sold and this has been one of my most successful images for prints and cards. Another attraction of the scene for me was the way it highlighted the difference between shadows and reflections. The shadows of the trees point back to the light source while their reflections are just that - perfect 'upside down' copies in the water. This is an effect I have exploited on many occasions since sometimes producing almost 'abstract' paintings.
The watercolour certainly took a lot longer because the paint has to dry between layers but the benefit is the subtle uncontrollable colour blend as the water and paint do their own thing. The advantage of the iPad is the instant and total control over what you are trying to achieve. I will leave it to you as to which you like best!
The watercolour certainly took a lot longer because the paint has to dry between layers but the benefit is the subtle uncontrollable colour blend as the water and paint do their own thing. The advantage of the iPad is the instant and total control over what you are trying to achieve. I will leave it to you as to which you like best!
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