The art of Michael Lees
Painting in action - the painting nears completion
I have now painted in my boat, ghosting around the bend in the river with the lug sail barely filling in the gentle breeze.
The tide is just turning so we will drift down river towards the estuary and our mooring. I have a feeling that we will need the oars before the day is out! The position of the boat was really predetermined as the tree lined sides of the valley sweep down and point towards that position, as do the reflections on the water. The white of the sail now acts as the focus of the composition.
I have now painted in the cows grazing on the river bank. They are Friesians and I have painted more black splodges than white as one has to be careful not too make them too dominant or bright or they will draw the eye away from the boat.
I have added another glaze to the water, and tomorrow I will paint the reeds in the foreground and put more texture in the far river bank."
I have now finished. Click on the picture to see the painting.
There was lots of interest in the painting and it has now been sold by Gallerie Marin. I was sorry to see it go but am delighted that somebody will have as much pleasure from the painting as I have had standing on the river bank painting it."