The process and technique
Glacier Des Deux Alpes began with a simple pencil sketch, mapping out the flow, peaks and slopes to lay the base of this piece. From there, the sky was blocked in with acrylics — broad strokes of blues, greys and whites to create a striking contrast with the snowy mountains. Fun fact for you, whilst painting I got carried away with the clouds and painted far too many, so went back to correct my mistake by painting over with blues however the clouds came through the paint and created a lovely faded effect – a mistake that actually added an additional layer to the sky!
To bring the mountains forward, I used jointing compound, sculpting the ridges so that they physically rose from the canvas. Once the landscape had form, layers of shading and fine detail followed — subtle shades of colour, highlights and deepened shadows — until the mountains felt like they carried enough weight to bring the piece together.
Something I loved most, is how the texture reflects the subject. In glacier ice and mountains there are striations, peaks and reflections and I found the piece really mirrors that. I really enjoyed creating the contrast between the smoother, snow covered parts, and the more matte, rough sections. The cracks, the smooth planes and the way the snow catches colour in its own way.
Reflections:
Glacier Des Deux Alpes resonates with themes I often explore: realism, but this time with an experimental edge; using the jointing compound to build out form. I’m normally drawn more towards architecture than natural landscapes however this piece has definitely opened a door that I would like to explore more; still working from photographs, but transforming them: adding both layers and textures, letting the medium really speak for itself.
