Seeing the light.

"Late light onTurret Head, Glenorchy." Oils on linen canvas - 500mm x 1260mm

This was one of those rare times. A scene I have looked at many times in the past, but this was different.

​I had always seen Turret Head as a huge, cold, grey, lump of rock ...but in this evening light it was glowing with colour. It even had beautiful purple/blue shadows to complement the orange/ochre highlights!  A real “wow” moment!

I very rarely use photographs to paint from as I think they can stifle your style… and I so much prefer to work outside anyway.

However, seeing something like this was just too good to miss so my wife's camera was called into action. I was eager to get to my studio easel while the excitement of that view lasted.

I'm not absolutely sure that I have finished with the painting yet but that doesn't matter too much – I like it as it is anyway.

I believe that is the real essence of painting. It doesn't matter whether you're working on a landscape, a still life, or some flowers, you need to be excited! 

I'm also excited to tell you that I have finally finished my next DVD - “Enjoying painting 2”. Perhaps relieved would be more accurate!

Due to a number of problems, it has taken what feels like forever to complete this one. However, If you go to my DVD page, you'll see it there ready for downloading or for buying a disc.

It's aimed at anyone who thinks they can learn more about painting. I certainly hope that I have learned heaps from making it!