Many species of water birds gather at the estuary mouth at this time of year and due to recent heavy rains the inlet will soon break its bank, create a huge torrent and connect with the sea. Schools of fish are detected by hungry water birds both small and large. The area provides many different subjects for an artist to paint as the channel meanders through dense thickets of twisted paperbark trees overhanging masses of reedy banks. The network of sandy tracks offers many vantage points so I chose my subject and set up the easel.
I was intrigued by the colorful reflections in still water contrasting with dark shadows of paperbark trees. Transparent wispy clouds caused the late afternoon sun to create an orange cast over everything. To capture this orange glow, I under painted the whole canvas with a thin wash of bright orange. Shadows were painted next before they changed, then light areas followed by the colorful reflections in the middle distance.
Two dominant paperbark trees in the foreground and on either side of the subject were brushed on. This provided an important lead into the picture, helped along with the reedy banks on both sides. The far-away headland was included, partially misted by rising seaspray from distant breakers.
There are always distractions when painting outdoors. The wind, annoying insects or inquisitive people asking the same old questions. On this occasion I was interrupted by a family of squabbling crows, a species which seemed out of place here. Nevertheless the fracas continued. With practice, however, the plein air painter is able to tune in with nature and ignore distractions, as when the mind is still, concentration becomes focused.
My orange under painting was beginning to show through as specks of glowing light throughout the painting. White twisted trunks of paperbark trees were painted along with their mirror-like reflections in the still glassy water. What's important now is how the paint is applied. Dark areas will be thin and transparent as opposed to the application of lights which will be thick and opaque.
As afternoon turned into dusk, the misty seaspray descended over the still water. My painting was close to completion. All that remained was the inclusion of a water bird for a focal point. There were many to choose from. A clumsy pelican perhaps? Certainly not a crow! In fact I could not resist but choose the beautiful white egret. This elegant bird with stilt-like legs stalking its prey contrasted well against the dark reflections of paperbark trees.
Michael Cartwright is a professional artist living on the south coast of Western Australia. He paints in two distinct techniques. Traditional Landscapes and Quirky Cottages. His favorite painting technique is Plein Air, however the whimsical style is produced in the studio as he relies on imagination only. Commissions are welcome and Canvas Prints are available. Each print is produced with the expertise, skill and attention to detail, in order to faithfully reproduce the beauty of the original artwork. For further details, please visit his website. http://www.michaelcartwrightart.info/
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