This beautiful spot is in the Columbia River Gorge, thankfully a protected area. I'm told there is a lovely waterfall farther up the creek. I'd love to see it, but it requires wading in water waist to chest high. I was already plenty wet photographing it from this angle closer to the Columbia River.
I used a painting knife quite liberally on this oil canvas. Getting sufficient texture on the rocks was important to me.
Some of these areas never see the sun, so the moss is verdant at all times of the year. I was especially
attracted to this view with the eye-popping lichen (if that's what it is) on the left. I honestly don't try for realism, but they keep turning out that way. If you click on the image, you'll see that my painting is actually quite loose.
Some of these areas never see the sun, so the moss is verdant at all times of the year. I was especially
attracted to this view with the eye-popping lichen (if that's what it is) on the left. I honestly don't try for realism, but they keep turning out that way. If you click on the image, you'll see that my painting is actually quite loose.
I seem to favor long, skinny formats and have a pile of photos of waterfalls, slot canyons, etc., just waiting to be painted. I've been working from my photographs for years now. The Oregon climate is not always conducive to plein air, especially at the beach. But I'm determined to find a sunny, wind-free day next year and give it a try.
Wendy, I'm really glad you put this painting up here for us to see--it's really great! You're a wizard with a knife. Thanks for sharing.
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