Oil. Alistair Butt © 2013 - #AB 021326
The reference for this oil painting came from a three day trip to Cumbria last autumn. While bitterly cold first thing, the day had promise... having driven through Keswick and alongside Derwent Water in thick fog it didn't look hopeful at that time but having gained some height, by climbing the single track road that headed towards Watendlath, the sky was clear but a heavy frost on the ground. Lots of photographers were set up at surprise view, a well know spot with a view over Derwent Water towards Bassenthwaite and Keswick although it would be two hours later before the fog began to break. I left them to watch the fog and headed further along the road towards Watendlath, which is a small group of farms buildings and cottages beside Watendlath Tarn (all owned by the National trust). This section of Watendlath Beck comes from the tarn and flows down the short valley before heading over Lodore Falls (better after some rain) and then into Derwent Water.
The morning light couldn't have been better and it was hard to select the 'best' view from my wandering up and down both sides of the beck. In the end I spent much longer here than I though I had, or even planned, but ended up with a number of possible paintings gathered.
This painting was done with what may be thought of as method two, number one method being first paint the sky and then paint the trees/leaves over that. In this case most of the tree branch, truck and autumn leaves were painted first and then the sky 'cut' into the previous. Either work, give a slightly different feel and worth a try on your next painting... although best to have some good rigger brushes at hand before starting. In some way most oil paintings employ both methods at some time.