Work in progress July 2020

Insh Marshes II

Staying with Insh Marshes for my next painting: this is the watercolour sketch that I will be working from for the initial layout. In contrast to the previous painting, which was taken from the hillside looking down onto the plain, this view is taken from a lower perspective. See below for progress to the finished piece.

I’ve applied a coloured ground to the canvas, something that I have been trying out with my last few pieces. I’ve found that this makes the application of the pigment much smoother, especially in the early stages.

Most of the canvas ground has been covered and more of the detail has been executed. I’m happy with the sky which is not too heavy with a hint of the ground colour still visible where the pigment is lightest. I’ve made good use of the palette knife to create the reed beds and in the immediate foreground. Just some work remains to be done on the middle distance and maybe the mountains in the distance. Hints of the canvas ground colour can still be in the water, and throughout the piece, helping to tie the painting together.

The finished painting