Autumn Colours

As the season turns I am finding my colour palette shifting in the studio as well as in the world around me. The slow process of making my work allows for much contemplation and evolution. Each layer starts with a plan and an objective which might range from “adding warmth” to “resolving drawing issues” via early layers that are there to “increase texture” and sometimes later in the process “reducing the noise” to allow the figure to exist peacefully in space. However as the colours mix on the palette (a painting trolley with a glass top so there is lots of room!) there is always somehow room for the nature outside the studio to seep into the work inside the studio.

The following images are of a work in progress - and you will see how much it changes as I work on it. The final image is I think approaching resolution - although my practise is to bring the painting into the house and for it to live on an easel where I will see it every day - to observe my reaction to it as a “finished piece” - more than occasionally things go back to the studio for more work! I will share the finished piece in due course.

Very early stages - blocking in the figure. i know that what ever i do at this stage will get really covered up but do find that warm colours still influence the feel!

Autumn colours stealing in … I had been noticing the witch hazel leaves from the bush in a pot by the back door which were turning red from the outside edges and along the veins of the leaves.

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While that looks like blue it is actually the effect of viridian mixed with white - the cooling effect of the white makes it go blue. So the green foliage marks are the same pigment as the misty background … The figure is losing subtlety however.

Starting to reach a resolution - various drawing issues have been resolved - Johnnie is a very helpful critic on things like hands (one was larger than the other if you go back and look). The golden light and glow is developing into something.

So now the work on the painting slows down and instead I work on the frame - mainly softening and disguising joints - the shape was determined months ago by the coppiced wood. And there is a new frame that is made, with a new shaped board - where I haven’t even worked out an image. All potential ahead of me!