Adding the Tree

Adding the tree now as the main focal area has made such a difference to the composition, making it seem like a complete image. The way that the tree grows up to the left after having been pushed by the wind for so many years, is an interesting feature, as it mimics the flow of the land. The focus of the painting now is no longer just the rippling effect of the hill, but is also the implied movement of the wind. There's still a lot more detail to be added at this stage, both to the existing trees and to the trees which will be added to the left and right hand side, at the edges of the composition.

The photo here is not so good at picking out the subtle textural detail, but there are areas in the sky and grass which have benefited from the thick treatment of paint with the painting knife, even though I'd carried on using the hogs hair brush, because it's created ridges in the paint, which enabled me to create light and shade, and layers of depth, that to my eye suggested subtle clouds and the movement of grass. This is very interesting as it's not something that I'd planned, but is something that evolved as the painting progressed. It's an effect that I will remember for future use.