In this watercolour, I wanted to capture the dappled light and vibrant energy of the Australian bush. I used a mix of deep forest greens and golden yellows to build the dense canopy, letting the colours bleed into one another to suggest the rustle of leaves in the breeze. By leaving areas of the paper untouched, I was able to create the effect of bright sunlight piercing through the branches, creating a sharp, radiant contrast against the cooler shadows.
The focus of the work is the strong, sculptural form of the gum trees as they reach towards the sky. I painted the trunks with varied washes of grey and lavender, using dark, textured strokes to define the unique character of the bark. To me, this piece is about the peaceful feeling of looking up through the trees and being completely surrounded by the warmth and light of the natural world.
Format: Arches watercolour paper - cold pressed, acid free, weight- 300gsm, pure cotton.
Medium: Professional watercolours
Year painted 2025