TM8930 Winter Waves #2 7×7 oil on paper

Continuing my study of winter waves, Winter Wave #2 is larger (7×7) and has that extreme slant of light and shadow so indicative of winter in our northern latitudes. Winter’s brilliant blues and strong whites are cold, but the warm white of the prepared paper ground showing through feels like sunshine. Liking the larger size, I decided to try another, but this time zooming in.

TM8929 Winter Waves #1 7×7 oil on paper

The topsy-turvy angles and ominous heft of the wave are dramatic. I wanted the strong contrast, but within the large areas of contrast I still wanted some luminosity and a hint of detail. Working with both knife and brush, and with lots of medium, I found I could emulate the waves with a flick of the knife. Oh lucky day! Going back into the painting a few days later allowed me to develop subtleties in the dark areas and a tracery of foam near the top of the wave. Detail below. Enjoy.

TM8929 Winter Waves #1 – detail from foreground