Bridge at Allen Banks

     Allen Banks & Staward Gorge is a National Trust property in the English county of Northumberland. The northern end of the Allen Banks estate was largely created by Victorian wonder woman Susan Davidson over 30 years as a ‘wilderness garden’ and is today one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in the county. This swing bridge crosses the river and had been just rebuilt after the old one was swept away in the May 2013 floods. In the early morning of this Autumn day the light was just incredible. 

     For this series I experimented with oil washes on a sanded paper. I then layered with more oil paints and pastels, washing with turpentine to thin for the desired effect. I was after a misty, high contrast look and this technique achieved it perfectly.Pastel and oil paint on sanded pastel paper

Painting is unframed

Measures 43 x 50 cm