The lone tree by Clive Patterson

Simple, but very effective. Wish I'd done it.

Beautiful brushwork as always, and lovely detail in the foreground.

What a lovely painting.

Thank you to all who have commented - the simplicity of the subject was a bit of a risk, but I think it has paid off.

Simplicity so often does pay off, but I can never tell, for one, when it might; to take this painting, you blissfully ignore the rule of thirds - the main points of interest are miles away from the golden section,your real point of interest being just off-centre, although your first main tree (which isn't the focus) is bang on the first third from the right. The eye is drawn to your lone, main tree - the detail in the foreground is subdued, but is nonetheless vitally important. I doubt that anyone plans their painting in accordance with classical rules, but even so -- this very successful painting shows that there are many ways to skin a cat (if that's your idea of fun, obviously...).