Treescapes - begun as a series of plein air studies during the September 2021 lockdown in Sydney. These paintings depict the unique tree canopy shapes of the dominant Australian tree species occurring in the Narrabeen Lake area - Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus Robusta) and Swamp She-Oak (Casuarina Glauca).
Painted as part of a global challenge to paint from life for 30 days. Painted on Day 7 - I've been thinking a lot about how I can delve further with this subject to progress. Today frlt like a step forward, the light on the trunks and branches pulled me in and I feel its helping with ideas for future paintings. These are old Eucalypts growing tall at the back of my home and studio. I see twisted lines, angles, shadows and lovely lemon hues pairing with smoky blues..
Painted early on Day 3 of a 30 Day en plein air challenge. I lost some lovely transparent darks I began with and not so happy with the brush marks. Lets see what tomorrow brings.
Painted on Day 4. Compelled to make amends for the previous days efforts, with this painting I took more care with each brushstroke. Early morning is when the subtle colours of the gum branches are most obvious. Today the sky was grey, no clouds just bright grey. I'm hoping for some magical morning skies soon.as part of a global challenge to paint from life for 30 days.
Day 16 and I'm noticing the sunlight more with each painting.. I began today's work experimenting with a les saturated palette, trying to bring the sunlight between the leaves as a focal point in the painting. The magic of the light was added at a later time in the day, the paint was still wet and I'd had time to think and try a few things out off the canvas.
As I painted the She-Oaks swayed with the Swamp Gums in the strong afternoon breeze, so what I've painted are the obvious shapes I could see like the russet red branches of the Swamp Gums, pink on the sun kissed tips
This is my favourite of the challenge paintings so far. Painted on Day 8. I was absorbed in the landscape as the birds sang their morning song. A painting I will refer to for future works.
Painted on Day 6 with Kookaburra quietly sharing the space taking in the general splendour until the pesky miner bird came along and pecked and squealed until Kookaburra flew away. The Swamp Gum foliage contains rust and forest green hues.
Day 19 and I'm past half way along in the challenge. The shadows became the most prominent part of this painting; it was less my intention and more the painting took me there. A fairly disjointed working day so fairly content with the result, will likely paint another pass but keeping the shadowed area of the canopy.
Painted on Day 9 of the September Strada Easel challenge to paint from life daily, for 30 days. Looking up at the desert red leaf tips of the Swamp Gum's were the main focus with this composition. Painted in midday sun and heat.
Since 2017, I’ve been experimenting and developing my painting skills and processes. With a lake only footsteps away from my home studio and the coast also nearby, I've lived and breathed the landscapes in my paintings. Often I paint landscapes in the alla prima style en plein air.
I practice traditional oil painting techniques under the guidance of Artist, Jessica Ashton, who encourages a contemporary approach with full, gestural brushstrokes and pushing the highlights to help convey form.
Recently, my focus has been a series of Treescape studies, painted during the September 2021 lockdown in Sydney. I'm painting from life each day as part of a 30 Day challenge for Strada Easel. You can view my work here and follow my progress on Instagram @kazbrockart
Other completed artworks include:-
Figures in the Landscape, depicting humans connection to water and special moments experienced.
Still Life paintings depicting hand-made objects, curiosities and florals in all stages of their existence. Currently exhibiting at Diversarty Gallery, Cromer.
Reach out for more information about my artworks and process.