I thought I’d try using oil like watercolor–thinned out with turp, making some of the colors run together. It’s probably not a technique for pleine aire but it’s an interesting challenge because it has an unpredictable quality. I usually prefer not to paint from photographs simply because it’s more fun to paint from life and because there’s more information when the real scene is before you. But there are times when a photograph is all I have–particularly when the weather’s cold, or when I’m just passing through somewhere and don’t have time to stay and paint. Anyway, with this painting, I sloshed on the colors, dripping them together and sometimes throwing on pure turp, wiping out the spots I wanted to be light instead of using any white paint. It took several layers and because turpentine dulls the finish I glazed over the whole thing, tweaking and deepening colors here and there. I’m eager to try this approach some more. I don’t know that it would work for everything but I’ve enjoyed the process with this one. The scene is from Cape Breton but we had to leave so I got a photo that I changed around a bit.
Rocky Slope oil on birch panel 12 x 12 $300
