This is another painting for my ‘Beginnings’ series. Strensall Common is situated just outside the City of York. Part of it is still common land but the vast majority comprises an Army training area which includes a live firing range. This means the area has been left relatively undisturbed so is a haven for wildlife and as well as containing spectacular views. I used to visit the area frequently when I lived in York and it was the inspiration for many of my early paintings. By the time I came to paint this I was starting to display real confidence in developing my own style and way of working. In early spring there was an absolute abundance of gorse and I loved the warm yellow of the flowers lining the tracks. So the painting went well. I painted the background with very loose washes wet on wet and was particularly pleased with how the archway of middle distance trees turned out. The whole scene was painted to lead the viewer down the track and through the arch. Silver birches are an artist’s dream with interesting features at any time of the year and the reflections in the puddle balanced up the composition. So a good result? Not quite. When I stood back to look at the finished piece I realised I had a problem with the gorse. Simply put they were not high enough especially in the foreground. I had masked the flowers (and the sheep) before I started to paint so the colour could be added later but it was not so easy trying to make them taller. I did the best I could by scratching out and painting over and hopefully I got away with it. What do you think? Glenn
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