The Copse

Official definition of a rather rare word that I use frequently: "A thicket of small trees or shrubs; a coppice." Painting 1033 is a blow-up of this plein air sketch - I liked it so much that I think it deserved a larger format.

It was warm at 18 Celsius and I had to paint in the shade. The blue bird sky was absolutely clear. I can’t take the sun anymore so I set up in the shade. I almost never paint looking into the sun but I placed a large tree between the sun and I so it still worked.

This is one of my favourite places to paint. The copse of trees, shadows and fallen fence line create lines that I enjoy. The copse was composed of basswood and maple trees all intertwined on the slope of the hill. Jazzmin loved this place as well. I spoke to her when I finished painting – it was a simple, spontaneous reflex. The title for this painting is in her honour.

The weather turned dramatically as I finished stroking. A cold north wind blew in with overcast skies. I finished just in time!