Snow at Sheffield Park Gardens

Well, as we don't get much snow I thought I would paint another snowy scene from my walk around the countryside of Chailey where there was just a light dusting for a few hours.
Then....to my amazement.... a couple of days after I started painting the weather turned worse and presented us with several inches of snow!  Oooooh!
Once the showers had stopped the blue skies and sunshine turned the landscape into a wonderful and rather magical sight to see.
I took this opportunity to take a walk with my friend around Sheffield Park Gardens ...

Sheffield Park Gardens , Sussex

It was a lovely day out and the colours were stunning!
On  finishing my painting I thought how perfectly it depicted the week ....
                                          "A walk in the snow" 

"A walk in the snow" Acrylic painting on canvas

 

"Winter trees" on the South Downs

In previous years because of the weather and light I have painted Still Life subjects during the Winter months. This year though I have decided to stay with landscapes.
The views look so very different at this time of year but just as impressive !
I love the sloping curves of the South Downs and the way that the fields interweave with each other.
I found the perfect composition at Falmer, the slopes and patterned  fields all set off by the lines of the Winter trees.
 A colouful mixture incorporating a selection of purples, greens and browns ....perfect!

                                                          "Winter Trees" 
                                                         Acrylic on canvas 24" x 18" 

"Winter Trees" Landscape painting of Falmer, Sussex

 For more details please check out my Artfinder Gallery https://www.artfinder.com/product/winter-trees-d734/

Sunset at Newhaven, Sussex

I don't often paint sunsets, it's a subject that's a bit overdone and not really my thing.
 However, after working on all the tiny detail of Brighton Pavilion ....

"Pavilion Pink and Ice Rink"

I wanted to paint something a bit simpler.
I was also looking for something that would not only be connected with Winter but also to fit in with my seaside collection of paintings.
There is something about the sea in Winter, it has a menacing air about it. The cold dark waters are are almost hypnotic .
Our trip took us to Newhaven, as it's a port it's not the prettiest of locations but it's easy for us to get to and ideal for taking sunset and sea photos for reference .
You can never tell how a sunset will develop but luckily for us it was just glorious!

" Then,
           for a brief moment,
                                       the skies turned to fire as the sun sank into the cold Winter sea" 

                                                            "Seaside Sunset" 
                                                             Acrylic on canvas 20"x 16"

"Seaside Sunset" Acrylic painting of the sunset at Newhaven, Sussex

 

"Winter Walk" Painting inspired by the early morning frost

Early morning frosty views on the outskirts of Newick, Sussex

Christmas was wonderful but after several days in the house I was glad to get out and about again. We've had a few frosty mornings lately so I decided to venture out for a walk to catch the sun rise and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside on the outskirts of my village.
The low Winter sun and widespread frost revealed a new range of colours to use for a painting.
I love how the landscape changes so much with the seasons and weather and each walk becomes a new inspiration on an old path...
I have chosen to paint a view of the track I followed on the edge of Newick Park Estate. The sun had just started to rise, lighting up my path ahead like a giant candle glowing fiercely  through the trees.

Work in progress... "Winter Walk" Acrylic on box canvas, 18"x 24" x 1.5"

Work in progress..."Winter Walk"

I started by giving the canvas a wash of pink and yellow for the background then painted in the trees in the middle. Once dry 2-3 thin washes of white and yellow were painted over them to knock them back into the distance. Next I repeated this procedure for the tree at the back left.
 Bit by bit I am working towards the foreground adding in the shadows and sunlight as I go.

Working on the foreground 

 This morning I have started to make good progress on the foreground . This area is mostly made up of frost and ice, it's also in the shade so there will be a lot of blue tones to paint in.
The track is created by merging  many small dots of colour, once this is dry I will be able to add the highlights and shading.
Well another day's painting means I have now completed the painting....I hope you like it !
                                    "Winter Walk"
                               Acrylic on box canvas 18"x 24"x 1.5"  

"Winter Walk" Acrylic painting on box canvas

                

Painting inspired from a Winter walk on the outskirts of my village of Newick in Sussex