Painting provence, shadows
Before the Storm, ©John O’Grady, 2013
Oil on Canvas Panel, 6″x”6

SOLD

The weather is very changeable at present.
Last week we had hailstones. It’s very unusual.
This is a view of Grignan,

famous for its grand castle, from the village of Chamaret.

We get to see dramatic storms and lightning in Provence.
When everything becomes very still, and time seems to stop,
a particular light announces an imminent storm.

To capture the light and the brooding sky, I used ultramarine blue with a touch of manganese,
permanent violet and titanium white.

Cadmium yellow pale and ultramarine blue with burnt umber for the greens
with the addition of a touch of titanium white for paler greens.

To create a sense of heat, I chose cream colours. I mixed white with burnt sienna,
alizarin crimson and cadmium yellow pale. The early evening included ultramarine blue,
permanent violet, a touch of burnt umber and some white.

What do you think? Is the mood suitably tense?

I look forward to reading your comments.