Thistle Patch – Freemans Reach

The reference photograph for this painting was selected because the artist really liked the light, the old sheds, and the interesting foreground with the thistles and weeds.

- Leanne Jones

MATERIALS

* Artists’ quality Winsor & Newton, M Graham and Maimeri Blu tube paints: Raw Sienna (M Graham); Indian Yellow, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue Deep, Light Red, Sepia (Winsor & Newton); Permanent Violet Bluish (Maimeri Blu).

* 4B clutch pencil.

* Clutch pencil sharpener.

* Kneadable eraser.

* Small Swiss army knife for scraping back into damp paint.

* Tissues.

* Water spray atomiser.

* Two large jars of clean water.

* Arches Watercolour Paper – Torchon Rough 300gsm (half sheet).

* Clean dry bath towel.

* Washing up sponge for drying brushes after rinsing (between applications).

* Brushes: Art Basics flat (for wetting down paper); large round Rekab Sable Ester Number 12; Roymac round Sable Number 12; Rekab Sable Number 5; Neef long handle rigger Number 6; Art Basics stiff synthetic bright Number 6 (ideal for scrubbing out); fan bristle Number 6 (for texture and positive space grasses).

The view in this painting is from the Hawkesbury region, which is known for its atmospheric and beautiful farmland. I decided to infuse the scene with more light than the photograph and to let the viewer see that you can improve a scene with your own impression. I chose to use a limited palette because this creates a harmonious painting; and I used transparent artists’ quality pigments.

STEP ONE