The first and, until recently, only time I attempted oil painting was on a one-day workshop with the Classical Art Academy in Bournemouth (see See the Sea) and afterwards I just didn’t have the confidence to try it by myself, but inspired by a YouTube video they posted recently I thought I’d finally give it a go and try and paint a snowy landscape.

I did this with a bit of reference to a photo and the rest from my head. I’ve got so far and now run out of confidence to continue. I’ve certainly failed to produce something at all realistic, and it’s all pretty murky and messy (and the classical art academy would probably be horrified by it) but I liked the feel it has, it reminds me of a children’s book illustration.

And thinking that made me feel like the painting needed more of a story but I didn’t want to ruin it so I added a black crow and a white wren into the branches of the tree to suggest that something might be going on. Not that you’d have a clue that that’s what they are.

Anyway, I’m quite pleased with it. Still have no real idea how to use oil paints though. Or how to clean the brushes. Which might be an issue.