Painting “A Boy, his Rabbit and an Obelisk”
Plein‑Air Painting – Oil on Canvas Panel
Burton Agnes, East Yorkshire, England, UK
The challenge painting this artwork, besides my newness to painting en plein‑air, was the searing brightness of the light.
This little lord stands at the end of a corridor created by shaped Yew trees. He's toward the back corner of the formal part of Burton Agnes Hall & Gardens. He's easy to miss.
Spotted with lichen and subtly carved, I wonder how many people who do see him there, don't detect he's holding a rabbit.
He stands there looking directly at us, in the sunshine of a bright vivid summers day – a proud and haughty little prince.
I love making landscape art out in the open, called En Plein‑air, even when the weather's not as lovely as it was the day I painted this young gentleman.
Plein‑air painting takes a bit of organising, and you become a real pedant about the kit you use. I was still finding my feet with outdoor painting at the time. I was constantly reviewing the art clobber I carried, trying to find lighter alternatives. I've pretty much changed my whole easel set-up since then.
The light was blinding, and having pitched in the coolness of the shade – it moved. Clouds gathered, changing lighting effects and tones beyond recognition. This is all part of painting outside, and I was becoming hooked on it, though I did not know it then.