Woodland near Loaningdale junction ...as a white pheasant walks above Warter?....

Loaningdale junction woodland. 48x36 inches, oil on canvas.

21st December 2022.

Loaningdale Junction above Warter. 48 x 36 inches. Available. 

(Original canvases now available, click link for details at my online shop …also a limited run of 50 A3 prints available from January 16th.)

The weather forecast was hopeful, sunny spells and dry, yet with a fresh breeze. So I set off with two 3x2 foot canvases to paint the junction. I arrived about noon and started to set up , see below. Using just three colours plus white, well, I guess 4 colours, I had a problem straight away, the canvas was too big for the easel. I tried tying it to the upright but this proved unsatisfactory so I laid the canvases on the grass. I spotted huge flocks of goldfinches, their undulating flight kept them well away from me and then I saw another huge flock. I got my binoculars out, they were getting closer ( sic ) ...then they settled. I was so pleased to realise that they were greenfinches, especially as they had been reduced in number by disease

(Until the 2005, greenfinches were one of the most common birds at our garden feeders. However, hit by the finch disease trichomonosis, they are now a rarity in many gardens and their population has declined by about 35 per cent. Trichomonosis can be spread between birds at garden feeding stations so it is very important to regularly clean feeders and bird tables.).

I painted on. As I painted fieldfares chatted and flew over the trees. Cars passed, slowed, but did'nt stop. A lone walker stopped and we chatted about the shortest day and how it was his wife's favourite day, especially as it was a turning point and would now get a little lighter for longer, each day. I noticed it was 2pm, usually a packing up time but the temperature was 6 degrees and the light was holding up so I carried on. A white pheasant walked casually, unhurriedly, across the road..an easy target? Eventually I stopped at 3.30. So, I had spent a rapid 3 and a half hours painting. It was 95 per cent complete and I finished it today at home.

Hope you like it.

Calendars still available, original paintings and prints...at my ONLINE SHOP

 

 

One half on easel

Decided to paint with canvases on the grass.

My setup, small table with paints etc.

Picture developing

Almost at a point where I stopped to finish at home.

 

A3 PRINT AVAILABLE SOON from January 16th.