This painting is not of a specific place, but it was
definitely inspired by many trips into the woods in all seasons
.
The painting actually started as a charcoal study (see
below) of spruce trees across the street
after a heavy snow. This was really
intended as an exercise in observation for me and I really enjoy drawing with
charcoal. I wanted to capture the sense
of the boughs heavily weighed down by the snow.
The original sketch had three spruce trees in it and then the sketch
kicked around in my studio for awhile.
On another homebound day I grabbed the sketch and started
thinking about spruce stands along a winter brook. I added more trees and just a quick
indication of a brook.
Next I decided to draw a color study in watercolor (9’ x
12’). This was done on very thin
watercolor paper – as you can tell from how the paper buckled. I was also experimenting with different
effects of light (as you can see in the background)
I then began sketching in oil directly on the canvas as can
be seen below. Once the basic layout was
done I was then able to focus on masses and patterns of color and light and
shadows. I really enjoyed working on a
large canvas. It can be easy to pick and
pick at a painting and to loose spontaneity – but. working on a large canvas
can be very freeing.
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