‘THE SLEDGING HILL’ Plein Air Painting

‘THE SLEDGING HILL’

Top of Newbold: Beacon Hill looking towards Warwick.

Plein Air Painting. 8” x 8” oil on board.

I’m enjoying testing myself at the moment…painting outside takes comfort and convenience out of the equation leaving you with minimal equipment, less than ideal lighting conditions, far from picture perfect postcard views and you have to make something of it…that’s the challenge- to create something out of seemingly nothing…

I spent an hour here sat here looking, sketching and premixing paint before I started painting- trying to find a way into the scene to make it interesting. 

Using different colours of the same tone helps separate the planes and directional brush marks help show the typography. 

The tall distant tree became my focal point. 

Premixing my paint allowed me to make sure that my colours were harmonious before applying them.  

I was mindful of applying compositional and colour theory…concentrating on making the distant trees paler, bluer, softer, and the near bushes warmer purple tones. The most intense blue is next to the orange of the tall tree and the leading lines take you to its base where a few smaller marks add interest and it is also the point of maximum contrast. 

It may be December but its a balmy 12 degrees here! This spot is a short walk from my house and the local sledging area when it snows. I cycled up and got to whizz down the muddy bank into the middle of my view at the end!

Fellow artist @Ednashart and I are teaming up to host regular Plein Air Meet Ups in and around Leamington Spa.

See our Facebook page for more details and event dates :

https://www.facebook.com/PALSartgroup/