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Inspiration & Story

My inspiration for a painting usually starts when I am out walking in nature with my camera.  Back home, I will scroll through all my photos and invariably one leaps off the screen as I recognise that here is something that I can work from; something which gives me a context, an idea or setting for my composition.  

This is how Bright Water came about.  Early one morning on Mull, I sat and watched this otter fishing with the most beautiful light dancing on the water of the incoming tide.

The Process

I liked the rocks and the reflections on the water but the otter was too interested in his fishing and simply would not pose for me in a suitable position. He was also quite a way off!  Back home I found stock photos and a mounted specimen that I could examine for details of his underlying musculature and other smaller anatomical details; for example, the way in which the wet pelt clumps together.

Progress Photos

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Materials Used

With a pastel painting, I start with a sketch and a base layer, then build up the picture with layer upon layer of different shades, refinements and detail.