Slieve Bloom Stream

This exceptional spell of dry weather is taking its toll on the rivers and streams. The Slieve Bloom Mountains, to the west of where I live, is the source of many waterways which pass this way. With a blue sky overhead and clouds hugging the mountains the reflected blue was a nice balance to the distant mountains. The higher viewpoint, something I don’t normally do, was responsible for this odd reflection and also the sparking white pinpoints.

This painting uses only 3 colours (Yellow Ochre, Indian Red, Ultramarine Blue) plus black and white. There is no medium used, only White Spirits. The red is ever-present to contrast and emphasise the blue in the foreground. This blue is transparent and is painted directly and pure onto the white canvas. This rich transparent colour did not look like much until the ‘milky’ opaque colour of the pebbles are placed nearby.

The painting is 12″ x 9″ and was painted in a single session of about an hour and a half with a single round bristle (No. 12) and a sign painters liner for details.

Here’s the painting process. See you soon.