Afternoon Light

Painted on location in the Flinders Ranges, this work captures a fleeting moment of late-day light falling across one of the region’s iconic Cazneaux Trees. With most of the ancient gum tree cast in cool shadow, a thin edge of golden sunlight traces its contours, defining the shape of its massive trunk and branches against the soft, distant forms of the Wilpena Pound escarpment.

Created in an expressive, impressionistic style on Belgian linen panel, the piece celebrates the delicate balance of light and shadow that gives the Australian outback its unique atmosphere. The warm, glowing edge of the tree contrasts beautifully with the subdued desert palette of the surrounding landscape.

Afternoon Light is part of the artist’s smaller series of Cazneaux Tree studies, each painted en plein air to capture the living presence and changing moods of these iconic gums. Its intimate scale makes it a quiet, contemplative piece, perfect for collectors who value painterly studies of light and landscape.

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David Isbester is an Australian artist known for his evocative plein air paintings and impressionistic depictions of rural landscapes. With a career spanning decades, David’s work is inspired by the early Australian impressionists and tonal painters, with a focus on capturing light, atmosphere, and the transient beauty of the Australian bush.

David began his artistic journey at 21, studying drawing and tonal painting under David Bryan Wilson, a teacher from the Julian Ashton School. His love for plein air painting has since taken him across the country, from the rugged Flinders Ranges to Tasmania’s wilderness and the rolling hills of the Central West of NSW.

In his paintings, David aims to convey more than just a scene—he seeks to evoke a feeling. Whether it’s the blinding brilliance of late afternoon sun filtering through a clump of trees or the quiet companionship of a kelpie resting on a ute , David’s work is characterised by loose, expressive brushstrokes, minimal detail, and an emphasis on light and tonal values.

David has exhibited extensively, including solo exhibitions at the David Isbester Gallery and Rosnay Organic Wines. His work has been recognized in major art prizes, including as a finalist in the Calleen Art Awards and Highly Commended at the Victorian Artists Society’s 9x5 exhibition.

Based in Canowindra, NSW, David continues to paint and exhibit, sharing his unique perspective on the Australian landscape. His original paintings and limited-edition prints on Bluethumb offer collectors a chance to own works that celebrate the raw beauty and impermanence of nature.