Drawing on paper

Signed on the front.

Most people passing through Birdsville see the Diamantina River as a muddy back water – and muddy it is. But as the early morning sunlight shines on the silt particles suspended in the water and it turns into beautiful pink and mauve that is stunning for those who take the time to “see” instead of driving by. It was a surprise seeing this wonderful display of colour in the desert well after sunrise.
To complete this painting I constructed the basic image from a number of reference photographs and aligned basic divisions and elements to the golden ratio. Completed in multiple layers of pastel, fixed between each layer to develop the image and increase the intensity. I’ve kept some of the edges sharper to help support the atmosphere of early morning in the desert which can be crisp and cold.