On Tuesday 19th, spent a peaceful morning painting at this large recreation reserve just out of Darwin. With the lagoons dotted around and the diverse vegetation, it provided myriads of spots for plein air scenes. I began with an alcohol wash using a fan brush which I was pleased with. While I was very happy with the final outcome, and felt it represented well the feel of the morning, I was a bit frustrated with the amount of underpainting I covered up. I must work on this. Also must remember to use a more powerful insect repellent for the midges and reapply!!After traveling 4-5000km over 6 weeks I finally joined up with Lou, Chris, Evelyn and Theo at th caravan park at Douglas Daly. The scenery on our walk to The Arches was typical NT rivercourse scenery, with beautiful green-blue water, rapids and rock formations. While the others swam in the NOT crocodile-controlled water, I managed an ink sketch sitting on the bank, which I later colored.Situated between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek, Larrawa Station was the perfect spot to spend a few days on a campsite overlooking the spinifex grasslands and the Mueller Ranges. On day 2, I walked across the spinifex to the ranges, vibrant red rock set against hills dotted with bright green young spinifex mounds ( and therefore easy to walk through). Too far to carry pastels, I managed a quick pencil sketch of part of the range standing in the shade of rare tree, and battling the flies. Decided to leave the colouring for later in the comfort of the van. Managed two quick pastel sketches, one of three ballet-esque trees standing outside the van door, and the other, a beautiful white gum standing off in a one of the cow paddocks - the flies were so bad that I managed the sketch in about 35 minutes, before I gave up the battle. Good practice for quick, loose strokes. |