Broadmead Brook near Malmesbury

The light was hitting the grass in such a bright way when I looked at the Broadmead Brook recently. This little stream is not far from my home near Malmesbury and it always offers something new to paint. I wanted to show that brilliant sunshine on the hill, so I used plenty of Lemon Yellow and a bit of Cobalt Green to get those fresh, zingy tones. It is all about capturing that feeling of a warm afternoon by the water.

Have you ever struggled to make your greens look natural and not too dark? I get asked this quite often by my students. The key is to let the paper do some of the work and use your brighter blues, such as Cerulean, to mix into the yellows. In this painting, I kept the water very pale with just a few reflections of the sky and the muddy banks. I used Burnt Umber and Neutral Tint for the deeper shadows under the trees to make the light areas stand out.

I always like to put people in my landscapes because it gives the scene some life and scale. If you look closely at the top of the hill, there are a couple of small figures walking along. They are just simple shapes made with a few dark strokes of paint, but they help your eye move through the picture. Without them, the field might look a bit empty. It helps tell a story of a quiet walk in the countryside.

This original painting is currently for sale. If you would like to own this piece or want more details about the size and price, please do contact me for more information. I love sharing these local spots with you through my brushes. It is a wonderful way to remember the local landscape and the changing seasons we see here in Wiltshire.