Some parts of the UK had snow towards the end of last week and into the weekend, so the weather was obviously on my mind when I was deciding what to paint next.
I’ve tried quite a few snow scenes before and, considering the seeming simplicity – surely the white of the paper can do most of the work – I’ve often found them very challenging. I’m usually drawn to the wintery scenes in the run up to christmas. This isn’t down to anything particularly festive, but every year I keep thinking “..maybe this year I’ll get a painting printed up to use as a Christmas card”. Printing even a relatively small quantity would still be cheaper than buying new ones from shops, but I either never manage to do any painting at all, or never manage to paint anything that I’d be willing to print.
So it was with low expectations that I started this painting. And a pleasant surprise to see it turn out okay. I just about resisted the temptation to overwork it and, while the right hand side of the image is a little lacking, I’m pleased overall with the suggestion of distant trees and particularly like the left hand side of the image. It had been my intention to capture a brighter, crisper (more cobalt-ish) blue sky. I thought I was on track to do this but my wash dried much paler than I’d anticipated so the palette in the sky dictated the rest of the painting.
The full image (on a quarter imperial) is below and…
…in anticipation that 2016 might actually be the year that I get a Christmas card printed, I’ve even started to experiment with few different card sized crops:
What you think? Is there a Christmas card amongst these crops? How would you feel if you received one of these? Do I need to try another snowy scene? Should I include a reindeer/santa/snowman?
So many questions – just as well there’s still a long way to go before Christmas.
13 thoughts on “Is it Christmas yet?”
I think the original or number 3 would make nice cards. The colours are subtle and restful. Alternatively, if your sky had turned out as planned, you could have had more blue in the shadows for a more colourful card.
Hi Keith and thanks for your feedback, it’s much appreciated. I feel I may yet try another snow scene before I place a print order for next christmas! I’d really like to try for a ‘colder’ sky that, as you say, would allow for some richer blue hue shadows. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
on second thoughts maybe the middle landscape one…
B x
> On 08 March 2016 at 19:01 Brushes with Watercolour > wrote: > > John posted: “Some parts of the UK had snow towards the end of last week > and into the weekend, so the weather was obviously on my mind when I was > deciding what to paint next. I’ve tried quite a few snow scenes before and, > considering the seeming simplicity – surely th” >
Ok – bear with me Bec – the images are set to appear randomly so every time you visit, they’ll be in a different order (which makes choosing one above another really difficult!) – so I’ve now numbered each image in the hope it’ll make it easier!
yes there is….. the far right landscape one…. and people walking in it would bring it to life for an xmas card (you, pol and flora maybe)
B xx
> On 08 March 2016 at 19:01 Brushes with Watercolour > wrote: > > John posted: “Some parts of the UK had snow towards the end of last week > and into the weekend, so the weather was obviously on my mind when I was > deciding what to paint next. I’ve tried quite a few snow scenes before and, > considering the seeming simplicity – surely th” >
ha -thanks Bec however doubt that my limited mastery of figures would bring any painting to life… quite the opposite more likely! (Note to self: must do some figure studies)
Gorgeous! I’ll take my card just like you have it here please! hehe… so beautiful. No need to snowmen and Santa can also be left to the imagination here I think! 😉
Haha – thanks ever so much Charlie – much appreciated and I haven’t forgotten about my Doodlewash contribution! Shall have something with you shortly (most likely including this image too!)
Yes please! It’s lovely! Can’t wait to receive it! Thanks John!
Promise you’ll have something before the weekend. There. I’ve said it. I’ll have to do it now!
lol… yes… it’s been declared now! 😉
Wow, that is a great painting. I would be more than pleased to receive one of the crops as Christmas cards. My favorites are no 2 and 3. For my taste: please no snowmans or santas 🙂 the landscape speaks for itself… Lovely!
Thanks for such a lovely response – it means such a lot – and I’m right with you and your taste: I’ll be sure to avoid snowmen and santas in any future snowy scenes!