I’m continually drawn to simple views of simple objects. It’s probably because I turn around and make them complex as I work with the various elements inherent in oil paint landscapes.
This is merely a hill with trees on it, but there’s more there than meets the eye. My aim was to create a feeling of hopefulness for another spring and all it promises in the months to come. The blue of the sky contrasts with the orange underpinnings of the grass on the slopes. The dark bases to the trees keep things grounded and the detailing of the vegetation keeps it interesting. I enjoyed adding the lights to the grasses where they meet the trees as well as throughout. The painting challenge is to offer up enough color and value changes to make the undulations of the land believable to the eye.