Near the Palms

Near the Palms is a 7” x 9” oil painting on canvas board, created en plein air during a workshop I was conducting. It captures a quiet moment near the site of the Palms Markets, where casuarinas and gum trees stand at the base of a sloping block, with the floodplain of the Belubula River stretching beyond.

Painted with bold, expressive brushwork and a fresh, impressionistic style, this little study focuses on the interplay of light and shade. Broadly painted foliage and simplified forms evoke the scene as perceived through squinting—an essential plein air technique to reduce detail and enhance tonal relationships.

The real interest lies in the light: dappled sun filters through the trunks and foliage, creating contrast and atmosphere across the composition. Near the Palms is a spontaneous impression of a familiar rural landscape, grounded in observation and painterly economy.

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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.