TheArtistApril2016__

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PRACTICAL

artistApril 2016 53

STAGE ONE

Looking down on a landscape helps to

spread the composition across the picture

plane. In this instance I climbed a tree to

discover a view of the studio and the

landscape beyond. As well as sketching, I

took photographs for later reference

STAGE TWO

Back in the studio, I applied a thin tonal

wash, taking care not to be distracted by

the detail in the photograph. At this stage

the basic composition of the picture was

established

STAGE THREE

Here I laid down my foil colours against

which the contrasting final application

would create an illusion of light. The simple

conjunction of grey, green, black and blue

set the theme for the final stage

FINISHED PAINTING

Cottage Studio,oil on canvas, 2418in

(6145.5cm).

Taking care to keep detail subordinate to

colour I developed the dark areas and

painted in the highlights. A few dark

silhouetted leaves were enough to suggest

abundance and the painting was completed

with two pale green dashes to break up the

regularity of the foliage. Knowing how to

recognise a point of completion, and

stopping at it, is very important

DEMONSTRATION

Cottage Studio

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