Stephanie Mills, a monthly winner in the PleinAir Salon shares her inspiration, challenges, and process for her winter landscape painting, “Winter Stillness.”
Stephanie Mills is a contemporary British Artist with work held in international collections. She focuses primarily on portraiture and landscapes, and is interested in creating atmospheric pieces whilst maintaining a strong emphasis on drawing and structure. Through observing light and how it interplays with form, she creates pieces that evoke a moment of quiet contemplation in the viewer. Through the use of color, composition, and mark-making, her landscapes seek to describe the inherent beauty of the natural world.
On Painting a Winter Landscape
By Stephanie Mills
www.stephaniemillsart.com
My Inspiration:
“Winter Stillness” is a reflection of the quietude and introspection that often accompanies the colder months. Inspired by the way light interacts with the crisp air and how it transforms the landscape, I wanted to portray the beauty in the muted tones and subtle contrasts that winter brings. The delicate balance of soft shadows and very little highlights creates a serene atmosphere that I hope invites contemplation.
My Challenge:
The most challenging aspect of this painting was the composition. In my initial preparatory sketch, the elements were arranged quite differently; however, as I progressed with the painting, I found myself continually adjusting the placement of some of the trees. This iterative process was essential to achieving the desired harmony within the piece.
My Process:
To create the painting, I worked in layers, allowing the piece to evolve through various stages. I began with an initial tonal block-in to establish the large masses, which provided a foundation for the composition. The placement of the significant tree trunks and branches was carefully considered next, providing structure to the landscape.
Once this groundwork was set, I began building up layers of tone to depict the foliage dusted with snow. I kept the paint relatively thin throughout the process, which helped convey the softness of the snow resting on the branches, enhancing the delicate atmosphere of a winter scene. The chosen colors were selected to reflect the coolness of the winter air.”
My Feelings on Winning:
I was surprised and very pleased to receive the third place award for this painting. It was a pleasure to create, marking my first attempt at painting a winter landscape, and the recognition for it, given that I have not shown the completed painting as yet, is heartening. The beauty of winter offers a unique challenge that I am eager to embrace in my upcoming works. I am thankful to the PleinAir Salon and that month’s judge, David Ethridge, for the recognition.
My Advice:
Go for it. If you have confidence in the artwork you’ve created do not hesitate to submit it. And the outcome of the competition should not influence your perception of your work. I have experienced the same piece receiving multiple awards while simultaneously facing rejections from others.
Continue putting your work out there. Each submission is a new opportunity, regardless of previous results. Remember, your belief in your art is paramount.
Editor’s Note: Enter your best work in PleinAir Salon today – the next round ends soon!
