In this series, plein air painter and instructor Jeanne Mackenzie takes a look at new paintings by contemporary artists and points out why they succeed as painted images. This week, Kyle Buckland’s “Winter Forest.”
Although a bit dark, the trees have a nice variety to them. It is a challenge to paint a mass of trees without a lot of repetition. Here there are nice, varied shapes with subtle value changes as the trees move back into the distance. The neutral lavender gray enhances the feel of dense trees without too much pattern. The artist has also left an opening for your eye to move back and exit the grove of trees.
This alone would be enough reason for me to go to the convention. Too bad I can’t go. Any chance Plein Air Magazine might post extracts on interesting presentations for us chained-to-jobs folk?
Wonderful information – his paintings reflect his principles in practice. Wish I could go this year, but alas no funds. Maybe next time. I added it to my bucket list.
Thank you for the hints of beyond plein air thinking. Makes one stop and pause on just how to approach your next plein air experience.