Carrasco Uruguay

The bright sun in Uruguay creates some wonderful shapes on the ground. When I looked at this park in Carrasco, I was immediately drawn to the long shadows stretching across the grass. I wanted to capture that feeling of a warm afternoon where the light feels very direct. By using a mix of Ultramarine Blue and a little Neutral Tint, I managed to make those dark shadows look cool against the warm, sunlit patches of the path.

How do you keep the trees looking natural without painting every single leaf? That is a question I get asked quite often by my students. My secret is to use a large brush and let the colours mix right on the paper. For the trees in this scene, I used a lot of Yellow Ochre and a touch of Burnt Sienna to show the drying leaves. I try to keep my hand moving quickly so the paint stays fresh and does not look too worked over.

A lone figure walking a dog adds a bit of life to any landscape. I painted the person using a simple dab of Cobalt Blue for their jacket. It is a small detail, but it helps the eye find a focal point in the middle of all that green and brown. I find that adding a human element helps tell a story about the place. It makes the viewer feel like they are standing right there on the edge of the grass.

The foreground of a painting can be tricky because you do not want it to be boring. I used some dry brush strokes with Burnt Umber to suggest the rough texture of the dirt track. Then, I let some bright Spring Green bleed into the wet paper to show the lush grass. This contrast between the rough path and the soft grass is what makes the scene feel real. If you like this painting, it is currently for sale, so please do contact me for more information.