Once again, I must apologise for not visiting everyone's blogs as much as usual. On - going computer problems are making life very frustrating and difficult.
A short while ago, someone suggested that I should paint views in and around Milton Keynes, hence the previous market picture and now this one of Wolverton Mill. It isn't a working mill anymore, but it has been preserved really well and is a beautiful building in a lovely, rural setting.
The main and most interesting challenge I find, involves taking the usual liberties regarding composition, omissions etc, while still preserving something of the essence of the scene. This poses interesting problems. The main one here was the tree. It's true that it is very central and cuts the picture down the middle, however, I felt I had already changed it considerably. In real life it is three times as wide and in full leaf just about hides the mill completely!!
This is all I've managed recently as I've now returned to work and, after so much time off, I'm wiped out after a shift and fit for nothing. Still, with each day, it gets easier.
There is so much I'm itching to do. More watercolours of our local area, some plein air pen and wash, and now the acrylics are calling me loudly too.
Watercolour on Saunders Waterford 140lb. ROUGH.
Kev, this is beautiful. It brings back positive feelings and experiences of days gone by...of simpler times.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda, glad you like it. Yes, I can remember simpler times even in my lifetime. We have more "stuff" now, but do we smile more?
DeleteKev, this is a brilliant painting. Full marks here mate. I think you have got away with the tree being in the middle through the building being on the left, and the car on the right. I feel that it has evened it out. Nevertheless, it`s a brilliant painting. all the best Kev. Glad that you are still improving.
ReplyDeleteVic.
Thanks Vic, very kind of you. I agree with what you say, other elements in the composition do help to prevent the tree from being too dominant. I learned a lot with this one. Anyway, as long as people like it then it's job done!!
DeleteKevin, this is really nice! I don't mind the tree in the middle at all. How great to paint some of views around your area! Luckily on my Mac I can zoom in and see the detail to the brickwork of the building...nice job on the texture. I love the work on the vine covered tree...we have quite a few around here like that and they always look so appealing. I don't know if the vines are any good for the tree, but they are great for the artist. Super work!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Joan!
DeleteI'm told that the vine/creeper is not terribly good for trees and has been known to kill them if they are young. I don't think that's going to happen here though, I don't know how old it is but this tree is very well established.
The thought of you zooming in on your Mac has made me a bit nervous, it means you can see all my mistakes!!!! LOL!!!
Beautiful details and I love the atmospheric feel of the painting. The tree works great within the composition, it balances out well with the house breaking up the lines of the brick.
ReplyDeleteThanks Celia. Seems I was far too worried about the tree. In terms of traditional composition it is too central, but interestingly, no one seems to mind. As I said to Vic, job done!!
DeleteThe spirit of this place your painting spreads turns out beautifully! And I think it's great how you have managed this challenge with the tree. It looks perfectly to me. I love places like this. They remind me of the time when I was a teenager and loved it to read English novels because they described all the beautiful locations you have in your country in such a lovely way. We do not have buildings and places like this in Germany. This year my husband and me will travel to Schottland and I am really curious what we will see there.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Stefanie! Yes, this mill does have a very English look to it. I'm looking forward to finding and painting more examples around our surrounding area. You are so lucky to be going to Scotland. I live in the U.K. and have never been!! You will take some beautiful photographs there and I'm already looking forward to seeing those!!
DeleteHi Kev, first of all this is a brilliant painting. For me, the tree is just alright in its place, however, if it has many leaves, then I think it will cover much of the building. And that will make the scene different. Anyway, in this painting, I like the tree there, really beautiful painting. All the best Kev.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cora for such a lovely comment. As you say, the tree in full leaf would have made a very different image. The view is early Spring, mid Summer would be a complete waste of time!
DeleteLove the atmosphere in this piece Kev, Its funny my eyes walked right past the tree to see the contrast of the building against the sky. It wasn't till I read the other comments that I fully realized the tree. Great move leaving the leaves off.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you do with the acrylics.
Thanks Pat. I'm really pleased your eyes tracked the picture that way as that is what I was aiming for. The contrast in that spot, along with the car, were meant to pull the viewer past the tree and reduce it's dominance. It's great when a plan comes together!
DeleteI fully intend to do more acrylic work this year, as usual it's a question of time and energy, what with a demanding job etc. Can't moan though, I'm lucky to be working at all!!!!