There is nothing quite like a stroll in a park with a couple of good friends, especially on a magically sunny day in London’s Kensington Gardens.
In to Kensington Gardens on a lovely fall day. Photo by me
When I was there last autumn, I couldn’t resist a cup of tea in the nearby Kensington Palace tea shop, and then out in to the park.
The entrance to Kensington Palace where there is a special little tea shop. Photo by me
There were people strolling and biking, but these three women caught my attention. They could just as easily be me and my friends in Central Park. There is something so universal about the scene.
Just outside the palace gates, friends move down the path. Photo by me
So when I started to paint the scene, I wanted the trees to become almost a halo around the three figures, setting them apart from the world around them. And I cropped it so that the women were the center of our attention.
The three figures become front and center with cropping.
As I layered the golden branches, the recollection of mood took over, and the painting definitely took on an aura that was true.
Tones are worked on.
And detail was added that I knew would actually be part of a underpainting. This is the tricky part.
Bolder strokes are added that I want to show through the haze.
It is always quite scary to then brush over the image to create a mood, and decide how much to cover in the haze and where to remove the overlay of color. This is why I love oils. They are forgiving in the layering process. If it doesn’t work out, you can always add more layers.
A soft layer of gold is added overall except over the figures.
Finally, detail is added, some of the haze is gently removed, and I have accomplished the mood I originally hoped for.
The final canvas.
The friends are lost in their own world but encased in the glow of the autumn leaves. The perfect day with friends.
It’s fascinating to follow your process, and the final canvas is spectacular!