Tyto Strix is a northern nobleman and scout heir to the marches along a hotly contested border. His eyes are almost like black coal and his unruly hair is an ice blonde complimenting the wintery steppes that he calls home.
I'm always crossing the woods in the winter (safe from ticks) to discover happenings--animal movement, tree life and so on. Came upon this scene just recently, two trees that fell together during a wind event.
Painted original (watercolor on watercolor canvas) about 15 years ago. Wasn't satisfied and so I put away forever. Except, not forever. Have started a project of revamping old paintings that were not quite right, and that now seem salvageable. This was the first. Worked on it for a few minutes a few days a week for a few months, never going too far. Goal was to improve not recreate. Kinda having fun with this new project. Artists tend to do this, take a new tact, find a new route.
Page from winter art journal. Used micron .01 pen. I try to draw quickly--partly my temperament, partly about staying away from focusing on every detail.
I started this oil painting in Feb 2020, and finished it in April the same year. I guess it's a tribute to Welsh beaches in winter - miles of sand, and barely anyone around.
Happy Imbolc to all who celebrate it :-) Spent today with some friends designing seed packets for planting various flowers, vegetables, you name it… although this will inevitably house more Washi tape in my case!