Maitai Creek, after the storm

What a difference sunlight and another day makes. The Maitai River is still turgid from yesterday's downpour, but this little creek sparkled in the sun. Even the wild flowers survived the wind and rain, and stand as lovely as ever. I notice that my work is opening up since I moved back to brushing, and I have rediscovered the joy of the rigger, a small long haired brush, for branches, twigs, (and the rigging of ships). Must be careful not to overdo it. Thanks Tony.



Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100 15001

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Location:Maitai,New Zealand

The Year Ahead

Ok. Now it begins in earnest. Some time ago I decided to attempt a plein air painting a day. That is, apart from any other painting I might be doing in my studio.

I wasn't really sure that I could manage it, so for the past couple of months I've been giving it a test run. 52 posts later I'm sure that I can do it, regardless of difficult weather, occasional travel, and life's little vicissitudes.

The year's challenge begins today, with painting no. 15001

It should be an interesting year. You are welcome along for the ride.





Photo taken in Wanganui by Carol Whitlock.


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Summer Green

Once again, down by the Maitai River, but this time looking at the old track running beside it. Somehow in the painting it the greens softened and warmed. I don't think that this is a problem as a more acid edgy green would not convey the mood of the moment.



Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at
rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Location:Maitai Valley Road,Maitai,New Zealand

Pohutukawa by the Maitai River.

Downtown Nelson, painting by the riverside walkway. A delightful place, and certainly busy. I had more people pass and look at the odd man doing odd things with brush and paint than I have been accustomed too.

"Look mum, at the funny man."

Well, that actually did not happen. People were very courteous and generally kept their distance unless I grinned at them and invited their perusal. Again, their comments were generally favourable.

Over the past few months I have become used to painting alone. But this is summer, and there are many more people about. I think that it is time to harden up and take my easel into the city proper, and paint the cafe scene.




Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Sunday Trawler

Everything goes very quiet in the marina on Sunday afternoon. The boaties are all out, and the workers are all home. Quite a good time to paint. I usually find a nice sheltered corner and settle in for the day. I really liked the stark working boom of the trawler against the delicate rig of the sail boats, both contrasted against the sky.
Would the rain come before my painting was finished? I wondered about that for a while but as usual became so engrossed in my work that I forgot all about it. In the event the promised showers missed us, and the painting is now safely in its box.


Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at
rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Maitai Swimming Hole II

I revisited the old swimming hole, but this time wearing jeans and boots. Such comfort! I wanted to pay more attention to the rocky edge to the pool. Now that I look at the two paintings side by side, they are really two different compositions. This time there was a young lady walking her dog, who came past at precisely the right moment to complete the ensemble. I find that a figure can give a nice sense of place and scale.


Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any painting from my blog may be purchased by emailing me at
rosswhitlock@imspire.net.nz

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Maitai Swimming Hole

Just up the river from where we live. About a mile below the dam. A lovely spot. Not as finished as I would have liked but silly me, I was wearing shorts and sandals and the sand flies discovered me. After a couple of hours I had enough and retreated to my truck. Sand flies one, Ross nil. Never mind. I think that I captured the water ok. I'll come back another day and paint it again.



Oil on panel. 8x10 in.

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For Carol

Just finished painting this. A memory from my distant
(teenage) past. Grin.




Oil on panel. 8x10. Sold.

Cheers!

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Maitai River

A lovely hot summer's day. For once I had to get out my painting umbrella as it was so hot down by the river, and no convenient tree to stand under. Never mind. There was no wind either. Nothing like a gusty wind and a painting umbrella to cause havoc...


Oil on panel. 9x12 in. $200.

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@ inspire.net.nz


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Fire Fighting Tug. Again.

Following Tony's advice I revisited this painting with a brush. Thanks chum. As usual you were right, and this is a much improved brighter painting.



Oil on panel 6x8 in. $100


Any painting from this blog can be purchased by contacting me at rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

Maitai River, after rain.

The Maitai is not in flood, but it is running much higher than it has done for months. It needed a good cleanup. Nothing like the river running full for a few days to remove debris and wash away the weed.
Another place where the dogs and I would stand and look at the river.

Oil on panel. 8x10 in. $150



To purchase any work from this blog email me at rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Location:Haven Road,Beachville,New Zealand

Maitai River Ford

Just down the road from where we live. I used to walk my dogs here most days. Unfortunately we are between dogs now. They have both passed away over the last two years. Painting this brought back memories. Good memories. I would not have been surprised if a snuffly nose started to investigate my boots as I worked. Their way of telling me that I had been painting long enough and it was time to pack up and do some serious walking. Sigh. Lots of love fellas.

Oil on panel 8x10 in. $150




A note about purchasing. I'm setting up a buy now button over the next few days. In the meantime, paintings featured in this blog can be purchased by emailing me at: rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz
Prices are 6x8 in. $100, 8x10in. $150, 9x12in. $200. P&P anywhere in NZ free. Send me your mailing details with your order

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Waiting for the Tide

I painted this today down at the foreshore behind Nelson's boulder bank. There is something endearingly gawky about trimarans on the beach. They remind me of small aircraft on the Tarmac beside their hanger. Clumsy when grounded but so light and free when in their natural element. Very like this small boat, waiting for the tide. Oil on panel. 8x10in.



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Miss Otago. On the Beach

A scruffy old fishing boat, on the beach at the Port of Nelson. I love these old boats. They are so full of character. All the dents and rust are evidence of a life well lived. Oil on panel. 6x8 in.


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Flowering Manuka

Another drizzly afternoon, but I came across this Manuka in bloom in our garden. It was nice to find some shelter near the house, looking down the valley, with a lovely view of the distant hills coming and going in the misty rain. The Manuka was delightful, and a real bonus, but quite a challenge to paint. Very soft and feathery against the sky.
Oil on panel. 6x8 in.


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Roses are Blooming

After the rain. Everything has bolted in the garden. Especially these wonderful rosés. This is an amazing bush. It must be 2.5 metres high and still growing. Every year at this time it is smothered with blossom. Every year I promise myself that I will paint it. Today I managed. Oil on panel. 8x10 in.


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Rainy Day Poppies

Another rainy day, another day painting in the increasingly sodden garden. I'm starting to think that I should build a semi permanent painting shelter by the garden fence. I don't suppose that it's really necessary though, as this looks to be the last of them, and they're looking rather beaten. Never mind. Perhaps back to the daisies. They are wearing well. Tough old things, daisies.
Oil on panel. 6x8 in.



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On location

Painting with my ol buddy Jack Register at the Botanical Gardens in Palmerston North. We've been painting together outdoors for well over twenty years. Still great chums. Never miss an opportunity to go out together. He promises to come over to Nelson early next year. Great!


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Fire fighting tug. Wellington

What fun. It's moments like these that plein air painters live for. Beautiful day. Clear sky, no wind, and a bright red tug. With reflections! I was a bit worried earlier on about where and when I would get in my daily plein air painting. I will be driving five hours, and on the ferry for another four and home about twilight. Then this wonderful subject appears before me, I am early to check in and have nearly two hours to wait in the queue on the wharf. Yum!
Oil on panel. Painted with a knife. 6x8in.


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Duck Pond, Palmerston North

Funny old day... Heaps of wind, but lovely bright sun. Painting in the rose garden was my original plan, but the wind was not helpful. However, this duck pond was very sheltered, and provided an interesting exercise in different greens, and finding a focal point. Such a difference from the deep perspective views of the past few days. I passed on the ducks though.
Oil on panel, 8x10 in.


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Location:Chaytor Street,West End,New Zealand

Rangitikei River. Mangaweka.

My word, what a difference sunlight makes. I drove past here three days ago in the drizzle, and these glorious cliffs looked nothing like this: just drab and drear. Not worth stopping for. Today I simply could not drive past and leave them. Oil on panel. 6x8 in. Painted with a knife. Now I wish that I had painted a larger panel with a brush.


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The Manukau Heads. The Orpheus was wrecked on the sandbar top left. An awesome place.


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Location:Manukau Heads

Painting on location at the Manukau heads

Bit of a cool sort of day, but the group are very good humoured. Jennifer Crudden, the organiser of the group took this of me, enjoying what I do most.


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West coast beach

A bonus painting from yesterday, but poor signal meant that it could not be published until this morning. We were working on the beach until sunset. A very wild and lonely place, but fortunately for us very little wind. These are a nice group of people. I wonder what delights will be spread before us today. Still New Zealand but so different from Nelson.


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Pohutukawas

A demonstration done with a knife. Nasturtiums and scarlet pohutukawa blossoms against the Manukau Harbour. Auckland is so beautiful. I'm really looking forward to the next couple of days. These are good people and keen plein air painters. They like good wine too. Cheers.


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Taupo Dock

This is the second painting I've done today, and the second time I've had to quit because of rain. Fortunately I had most of it done. I think Tony would approve as I didn't have time to noodle. A clear simple statement. The earlier Ohingaiti painting was done basically inside the truck using a knife. It was such a pleasure to stand outside at my easel with a brush!
Funny how old and untidy makes for an interesting painting. There is hope for me yet...


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Rangitikei. In the rain

It pretty well rained all day. I painted this just past Vinegar Hill. Once again, sitting in my truck, looking out the window. That is twice in three days. Even Queenstown was not that bad. I think that the painting is reasonable, but the photograph is awful. A lot of scattered light breaks up the form in the middle distance. Never mind. I'll try to photograph it agin tomorrow, always assuming the the weather cooperates. On my way to Auckland. Either more river tomorrow, or some mountains, again assuming that I can see them. Sigh. Oil on panel. 6x8 in.


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River boat, Wanganui River

I spent a lovely morning down at what was Hatrick's Slipway, looking across at this old river steamer. The weather was decidedly dodgy, but never really came to much. The occasional shower threatened, and the reflections in the river also came and went. I had my cousin for company, and that was delightful. Carol has been following my painting career for many years, and it was good to be able to share a plein air moment. Tomorrow I begin to travel North. The Rangitikei river. The mountains of the central plateau. Lake Taupo. Nom, nom, nom...


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Manawatu River

Back in Palmerston North. I used to live just up the road from here, and this was one of my favourite views. Close up details may change but the light in the hills seems eternally the same. Not true of course, but from the perspective of our short lifetimes it may as well be the case. I walked my dogs along the bank here for years. I miss them too, as well as this view of the river, but hey, it is a good place to stand and paint, and remember times now past, and sadly gone. Never mind. Another glass of wine is called for... Cheers!


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Wellington City. Clearing rain

It was raining when I parked the truck in Oriental Bay. I painted this while sitting in the passenger seat, using a knife. Brushing is too awkward and hazardous in such a situation. Never mind. I think that the painting turned out ok. I had better get used to working like this if I'm going to get through the year ahead, painting en plein air every day. Grin. Oil on panel. 6x8 in.


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Dudding's Lake

A small lake on the way to Wanganui from Palmerston North. I've been meaning to call in and paint there for years. Finally made it. Quite busy with families picnicking, water skiing, playing frisbee, and barbecuing their lunch. Nobody noticed the guy quietly painting up on the hillside. Except a small dog who wondered up to say g'day. Oil on panel. 6x8


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Roses. Palmerston North

My journey North has begun. Drove all day, and then painted this. Not too bad for an old fella. I have always loved the municipal Rose Gardens at Palmerston North. It is not called "Rose City" for nothing. Oil on panel. 8x10 in.






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Forestry in the Valley

Mixed feelings about this one. When we arrived in the valley eight years ago the forest had not been touched since 1982. So green and cool. Then we had a huge storm a few years later that flattened the forest across the valley. A few months later the forestry crews arrived to clear the wreckage and log the remainder. Strangely I see another kind of beauty in the stark bones of the hillside. Eventually they will replant, and so the cycle goes.

I like this painting though. Oil on panel, 12x14 in. "Forestry in the Valley".



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Twilight Poppies

Today was tax catchup day, therefore I had to spend the whole day going through all the necessary papers. It's done now, so I headed out to do my daily painting, which is still the best part of any day. It was going to be "poppies in the sun" but starting so late it became "Twilight Poppies", and none the worse for that I feel. Oil on panel. 6x8 in.


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Fran's barn

Lovely sunny day. A very good day to pay a visit to old friends in Motuere. They have all sorts of good things for artists to paint and draw inspiration from. Love their chooks, they have some lovely trees, but today it was this old barn. I think it may have been a hops kiln in past years, but today it was wonderful to celebrate a life well lived. Ah memories.


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Poppies in the sun

I liked painting this. For once no rain and no wind. The only problem is that the photo seems to have lost the greens. I'll try again under different lighting conditions and see if the result is more balanced.
I've only got four more days at home before I head up to the North Island. I will be away about ten days and I expect that the poppies may well be gone by my return. I'll paint them while I can, regardless of the weather. Heh.
Oil on panel. 6x8 in.



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Maitai River. Demonstration

Today I met a group of students at Branford Park, by the Maitai River, Nelson.
The river is very low at present, so we gathered down on the shingle river bed and painted there.
The purpose of the demonstration was to show the potential of a limited palette with careful mixing, and to demonstrate the use of a neutral mixture as a base colour.
The painting is oil on panel, 8x10 in. It took about a bit over an hour to this stage.


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Poppies in the wind

Today I just had to paint my wild poppies again. Because I'm a plein air landscape painter the opportunities to paint lovely saturated reds come along seldom enough. Usually I have to wait until autumn brings it's bright red apples and blazing russet foliage. But these poppies are an unexpected joy. Snow last week. Wild flowers this week. The wind was a bit of a challenge today. Lovely bright sun, but a gusty breeze. I found that the shadows were much heavier today too. What do you think? Should I have waited for another drizzly day? Grin. Oil on 6x8 panel.


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Location:Maitai,New Zealand

Front coming, Rabbit Island

One of those late spring days that starts out well, and then becomes interesting. This is a small 6x8 panel, and that was all I thought I would have time for, as the front came in over the Western Ranges. In the event I had time to spare.


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Riverbed Daisies

It's funny how when painting outdoors new subjects pop up unexpectedly. I haven't painted flowers either inside or out, for years. Suddenly I see them everywhere. This month our valley has lovely little clumps of wildflowers everywhere you look. I painted "Poppies" a couple of days ago. Now while wandering down by the Maitai River this morning I was struck by this little posy of daisies among the river stones. I know that some months ago this dry branch of the river was two foot deep in fast flowing water. It will be again in a few months time. But for now these brave seemingly fragile little flowers are tenacious enough to thrive. Like a lovely woman. Delicate, beautiful, but tough. Underestimate them at your peril.
Heh.



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Coastguard vessel, Port of Nelson

This is Nelson: Rain yesterday. Today, a cloudless sky, but a blustery wind. To paint this I had to find a sheltered spot behind a shed. Even so a freaky gust caught my palette when I put it down for a moment and flipped it upside down onto the pavers. Bother. It a took quarter of an hour, half a bottle of turps and a lot of paper towels to clean up the mess. All sorted in the end, and I think that the painting is worth it. It is the first painting of the second week of the challenge. What do you think?


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Wild poppies in the rain.

So what to do on an unexpectedly rainy day? It started to drizzle at lunchtime and I had already decided to paint in the afternoon. I finally decided to give up on the Port of Nelson and instead paint the wild poppies peeping over the vege garden fence.

Painting in the rain does require some adjustment in technique. For instance I don't take my wooden half box, and I use a Cotten paint rag rather than paper towels.

Generally, the rain and the oil paint form a kind of emulsion. So long as it doesn't get too sodden the water evaporates from the painting back in the studio and it all settles down as usual.




-

On location in the garden between showers...



For Serena and the boys xxxx


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Maitai River, reflections.

This is a good time to paint the little river that runs through our valley. It is running very low at present, so I could stand on the stones of the river bed and get some interesting reflections.



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For Tony.

Hi chum. Painted for you today. Down on the hard, behind the boulder bank. A real Nelson painting. I might add a couple of seagulls, but it is essentially there. The day started off a bit cloudy, and the tide was full in. By the time the painting was almost there, I had a very nice foreground to complete it.
Cheers, Ross.



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Japanese garden in the rain

One of the plein air painter's little challenges is what to do when you wake up to a rainy day.
Obvious answer is to find some shelter, and paint from there. Over the years I have painted under bridges, in barns and public shelters, trees can be ok if the drizzle is light, and shop awnings if the shop is closed for the day.
One of my favourite locations is Miyazu Park, a Japanese garden in Nelson. It has a selection of cosy nooks, and usually striking views. Very intimate landscape though.


Another problem of painting in the rain is that the light does not change much, so there is a danger of carrying on too long, and starting to noodle: putting in way to much detail, and losing the composition. I think I managed to stop in time for this painting.

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Maitai valley in spring

Really I don't know what possesses me at times. Spring is a difficult season at best, and to choose to paint back lit foliage, contra jour, is simply asking for trouble.
As it happens, it all worked out in the end, but mainly because I was lucky in that the declining sun gradually spread a lovely translucent shadow over the shingle banks.
Oh well, that is what happens sometimes when you are out painting. All,the little ducks line up in a row. (Don't look for ducks in my painting. It's a metaphor) grin.
However, I think I'm going to have to add lemon yellow to my palette if I'm to continue to paint back lit willows in spring.


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Why I don't like to paint from photos

This is the tree I painted. Too much irrelevant detail, not enough soul.
In all honesty, I much prefer my painting, and in a funny sort of way, it is more "real".


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Our orange tree in spring

After all that colour mixing last night I found this orange tree in bright sunlight irresistible. After all my recent travels it was a pleasant change to find inspiration in our back garden.


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Neutral colour chart

This was the chart that they were working from. It is based on three simple primaries: cadmium yellow pale, alizarine crimson, and ultramarine blue.

From these the secondary and tertiary colours are mixed. Then the three primaries are mixed to produce the perfectly balanced neutral in the centre circle.

The ring of colours surrounding the central neutral are the primary and secondary neutrals, eg between red and the central neutral is the red neutral.
The ring is comprised of red, purple, blue, green,yellow, and orange neutrals.

So why bother?
Because it is about training the eye and the hand through experience.
Remembering the old proverb,"knowledge is the awareness that fire burns. Wisdom is remembering the pain of the blisters."

It is one thing to know that yellow and blue make green, but only by constant mixing can one become aware of the huge range of potential greens available even from such a simple palette.

Now that this post is finished I'm going out to tackle the lovely spring greens in our valley.
Cheers.


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