October 2026
Everywhere I look the trees and bushes are bursting with orange, yellow and red.
I believe that the colours are brighter than I’ve ever seen in my 40 years of painting outside. And at the moment the weather has been sunny and warm, perfect for painting.
Yesterday, I returned with a 11x14 canvas full of heavily-laiden trees clothed in bright colour. It’s almost too much, but with a little time in my studio under good lighting and a steady hand, I softened the leaves and accentuated hiding tree shapes and branches until a picture evolved.
I have to be careful: overworking the canvas can kill the painting. I have to trust the design and colour values and intensities inherent with workmanship developed with years of practice.
And yet I can still surprise myself. Just as my mentors of the past told me “Just keep painting! You will surprise yourself”.
And so I press on to produce my best painting yet. The weather forecast looks great tomorrow!
Charlie
