Burnmill House

Lovely fresh colours, I like the receding trees in the background and the warmth of the trees in the foreground. I am sure they were delighted with the painting I would have been.

Love the subtlety of colours, nice. what technique and brush do you use for the trees?

Very nice foliage Michael and good strong washes.

Love the flashes of white paper. How do you make greens so interesting?

Peter when painting trees I first make up tat least two washes and in doing so I don't mix the colours thoroughly so that when the paint is applied there are different variations in each wash. One wash is a dark wash for the dark shadow areas. Each wash id made up with plenty of water so I don't have to mix more half way into painting the foliage. So far so good! To apply the paint I usually use at least a No8 brush and sometimes larger depending on the size of the tree on the paper. I load the brush with as much wash as the brush will take and then apply the paint by using the brush on its side - in fact the ferule is almost scraped across rhe paper surface - I like to push the brush away from me which means the hairs of the brush flick and 'dance' across the paper. This gives a more natural and spontaneous appearance. I try to vary the wash by picking up different colours from the mix in the palette. I then use the dark wash which is a stiffer mix using a smaller brush and drop it into the tree on the shadow side. Its not a difficult technique once mastered and avoids the fiddly look you so often see in watercolour trees when artists paint the trees using sponges of dabbing the foliage on the paper with the brush..

Very nice scene. Those greens are so varied and I like the flower beds too :)

Interesting to read of your brush technique, because in my opinion that's how pictures should be painted, with real brushes, and brush strokes: stippling and sponging have their place, but I really don't like paintings that have been produced entirely by such methods. The other thing you do of course is to leave flecks of white paper in your washes, which adds to the sparkly, clean effect you achieve.

By the way, I do admire the way that the lady in this painting, tiny though she is against the massive trees, absolutely dominates this scene.

Crisp and clean watercolour, masterfully done.

A truly delightful watercolour Michael, in what is a a beautiful medium.

A truly delightful watercolour Michael, in what is a a beautiful medium.

I think your owner will have been delighted with this. It certainly show off the grandour of the house and gardens. Just the job I would say!

Beautiful painting Michael, very fresh.

Thanks to you all. When I handed it over I wasn't sure if the owner and his wife did like it - but met up with him at an art show and he said they were really pleased with it and might want another one in the future - wait and see!

congratulations on being in the top ten of august :-) you have a lot of talent :-)

Many congratulations Michael on your top tens, this painting is stunning, love it!

Well done on your top slot in the Top Tens. Well deserved recognition.

A splendid piece, Michael, and well deserving of the Top Tens.