Dry Island Buffalo Jump 2

2 years ago I went on my first plein-air painting trip out to the Drumheller area. I have some very fond memories of that trip, and also some highly questionable artwork and lots of reference photos and studies.

When I got a set of oil paints and a vague clue about how to use them, I decided to revisit this scene. I have learned a lot about landscape painting since that trip, and I was curious whether I could apply it to oils as well as improving an old painting. I think that I'm happy with the result.

For comparison, here's the first version, painted on location.

Oils on hardboard, 9x12".

Curve of the Creek

  

So far I think this may be my favourite painting of 2013.  You can read the story behind it here

A Blanket of Gold

I rode out to do some painting while the weather was good. Looking for the edges of the city, I ended up on a hill of dirt in one of the areas they're developing, and there I found this beautiful transition between purple thistles and gray-green weeds and the yellow canola. That's really why you want to be on the prairies -- to go out in July and see the rolling golden blanket beneath a pure blue sky and be wrapped in the heavy scent of clover.

Then I was thoroughly bitten by bugs and had to ride home through a field of mud. Good times!