STEP SIX
I block in darks and mid-tones of foliage on the Wattle trees- using dark and mid browns, greens and ochre yellows. I
blend minimally with small, light, round finger strokes. I
develop detail on the bushes, trees and clouds by adding
lights. On clouds, I draw ‘fluffy’ lines with very light greys
and mauves and carefully blend to create an illusion of
highlights. I use short strokes of mid to light blue/greens to
develop the texture and detail of Bluebush; and a few short
strokes of lemon and yellow to develop the Wattle.
STEP SEVEN
Shaving specks of pastel onto areas to be highlighted is an
effective way to put finishing touches on bushes and trees;
and to make wildflowers. I use a blade to carefully scratch
specks of pastel onto the artwork, and press them down
firmly with a palette knife. Any excess specks can be
scraped off with a palette knife.
I indicate some stems and leaves on the wildflowers, and
add more branch and twig details to trees and bushes using
pastel pencil.STEP EIGHT
I consider the work and determine how to improve it. I
need to emphasis the contrast between the yellow flowers
and the purple clouds. I also need to improve the
composition of the painting.FINAL STEP
I add a streak of bright lemon yellow in the background at
the tree line. This goes against aerial perspective rules – but
it is necessary to achieve the ‘wow’ factor of sunlight
streaming after the storm. I also improve the shapes and
highlights of the Wattles.
I selectively tint the lighter sky colour over areas of
‘overbearing’ cloud, and use mid greys and mauves to reduce
the intensity of other areas in the top right-hand corner. I
deepen the bottom of the closest cloud, creating an illusion of
space and distance. I add final lights with white pastel.
Adding kangaroos (coming out to drink from puddles after
the storm) creates a story for viewers to contemplate. Roos
commonly appear after rainstorms, thankful to find water in
their normally parched environment. They are not always
obvious, requiring a second look to really notice them ... and I
am pleased to be able to achieve this in the painting. Although
the kangaroos are in the foreground, the eye doesn’t find them
until after being drawn to the back of the painting, then up to
the clouds, around the Wattles and finally onto the roos ■MASTERHINTSANDTIPS
- If you would like some information about the ‘Basic
Rules of Aerial Perspective’, please contact me at the
Back O’ Bourke Gallery and I will be glad to provide
this for you. The telephone number is 02 6872 4674.
STEP 5
STEP 6
STEP 7
STEP 8