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Thursday 15 August 2019

Harpenden Common, Midsummer




Harpenden Common, Midsummer
watercolour with gouache, Teresa Newham


This is the first figurative watercolour I've made in ages - inspired by two lovely ladies at Art on the Common who asked me when I was going to paint the Common again, and by some photos taken during the sunny weather at the end of June.


the photo which provided the inspiration
© Teresa Newham


I used Cobalt Blue, Permanent Sap Green, and for a change, Burnt Umber, which blended well with the blue to add some shape to the clouds.  These are the second lot of clouds I tried - the first attempt is on the back of the painting . . .


the urge to get something down on paper quickly
© Teresa Newham


I built up the piece in layers from the top down, delighted by some of the runbacks, which I incorporated into the landscape, and mindful of the need to balance out the tones - which I checked by taking black and white photos as the work progressed.


the painting takes shape
© Teresa Newham


The midsummer palette is quite restricted, so I ignored the yellow flowers in the photo and added in the white ones using gouache and a certain amount of scratching out.  I'm looking forward to sharing this picture with visitors to #HertsOpenStudios next month!


finishing touches
© Teresa Newham









1 comment:

  1. I love this picture - it captures the colours of that part of the Common beautifully.

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