Painting the wilderness

Last week my husband and I walked into Lake Judd in Tasmanian’s South West wilderness area. We’d done it before a few times many years ago when it was a very long, hard slog through boggy mudpits up to our knees. I did not have pleasant memories of the track! Joyously it has had a major upgrade and is now very well duckboarded most of the 8 km trek into the lake.

Looking back to Lake Peddar …no mud in sight!

We set off early and I sent Trevor ahead as I knew he was full of adrenaline wanting to catch the early light on the lake for some photography and I took my time and enjoyed the wild flowers beside the track, birds singing and the sensation of being alone in the wilderness. It was worth the last steep climb when I arrived at Lake Judd to find glorious reflections of Mt Anne and overhanging trees in the perfectly still waters of the lake.

Mt Anne reflected in the still waters of Lake Judd

Tree reflection in the tannic water of the
Anne River as it emerges from Lake Judd.

I knew I was going to paint this scene …and it was going to be large! I wanted to capture the granduer of the scene and convey the tranquility of the moment.

I started by toning a 100x100cm canvas with
quinacridone nickel azo gold acrylic paint and drawing in the main elements with an ink marker.

I took my time working on the rock shapes that would show through the reflections noting the changes in value at the edge of the tree reflections.

I worked from background to foreground using Atelier interactive acrylic paints massing in the major shapes and elements.

Then came several layers of glazing to suggest the water surface with added blues where the sky colour reflected. I rechecked the foliage, quietened down the tree trunks so they didn’t compete too strongly with the main overhanging tree and refined some of the tree brach reflections.

I never aim for exactitude when painting from reference photos …I’m much more interested in capturing a mood and a moment in time. The colours aren’t exactly the same as the reference but the feeling and mood is pretty much as I experienced standing there in the still of the morning watching nature put on a majestic show for just the two of us. Wilderness experiences are treasured moments and this is one moment I am happy to have preserved in paint.

Responses

Loretta Odwyer

January 30, 2022

WOW Lindy you certainly have caught the mood its fabulous I am privalidged to see thus.
Your colours are very accurate and the shine on water wow.
You are talented.
Loretta

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1. lindywhitton
  
  January 31, 2022
  
  Oh thank you sooo much Loretta! That is most kind of you. I have learned so much in the last few years by doing commissions for people of subjects I wouldn’t normally choose for myself. I think it’s made me more confident in tackling more complex scenes. I really appreciate your comments . Lindy 🙂
  
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Cindy

January 31, 2022

That is stunning! Lucky you to walk the track. Tasmania is truelly the most beautiful wilderness. And you are an incredible artist!

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1. lindywhitton
  
  January 31, 2022
  
  You are so right Cindy. Tasmania is a wonderful place to live, walk and paint! Thanks for your kind words…I truely enjoyed painting this amazing scene and it means a lot that it touches other people too. Lindy 🙂
  
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Sherry Williams

January 31, 2022

When I saw this painting it took my breath away! Absolutely stunning. I will never have the privilege of visiting Tasmania but seeing it through your eyes is amazing! You are so talented.

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1. lindywhitton
  
  January 31, 2022
  
  Oh Sherry…that is so lovely! I really appreciate you taking the time to tell me this. I love my island home and it has so many beautiful places I’m so lucky to live a few hours drive from. I do have two black toenails from my new walking boots to remind me of the day but I thought the painting would be a more pleasant and longer lasting memory:)
  
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