Misty Trees in Branford Park

Today it was raining when I arrived at Branford Park. It started out heavy, then eased to drizzle. I was quite taken with this clump of sodden trees. I liked the depth and the tangle, but there was also structure. Some light from distant fields could be seen, and they seemed much brighter than they actually were.
I never think of these paintings as necessarily finished works of art. Rather they are the opportunity to study interesting challenges. Sort of impressionist sketches in real time.

I think that this one works in a moody sort of way.

Wouldn't it be great if we had sublime subjects such as the Archway Rocks everyday? The simple fact is we don't and can't, but we can prepare ourselves for those special moments by making the best of what is available.

At least, that is what I keep telling myself while I'm standing plein air painting in the rain...



15032. "Misty Trees in Branford Park". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Rainy day

Hi all,

Because we could see the rain coming in Hil and I did not linger in Golden Bay, but dropped the tent while it was still dry, and came home last night.
That was good, as we have a lot to do here preparing the house to get the floors sanded. Enough said. Whew !

Being here today I was able to go to the pavilion in Branford park. I was there at 2pm. The rain was easing then. No one else turned up. No problem. All is good.

Previously I had extended an invitation to anyone who want to see plein air painting in the rain to come to Branford Park. No one did. That is cool. It is supposed to be fun, and not everyone enjoys painting in the rain. Cheers!

In future, if it rains, I will go to wherever we arranged, and wait a few minutes. If no one turns up I'll just head off and do my own thing. The thing is, on wet days there are places you can stand and paint, but that is very much a question of personal preference. Much more sensible to stay at home. (I'm not sensible. Grin. I'm a pleinair painter.)

If you want to come out and experience rainy day painting phone or text me on 027 285 4697 and we can arrange to meet. Or if you arrive and I've already gone, phone or text and I'll tell you where I am.

In my experience the weather in Nelson is generally kind up until mid year. Hope to see you next Sunday. Venue yet to be determined.

Regards, Ross.



Painted on a rainy day at home. Not entirely a plein air painting as I was looking out the lounge window...


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Sunday 1February

It looks as if it will be raining. Never mind. I'm camping over at Golden Bay, painting the Archway Rocks at Wharariki. I will be coming home on Sunday and if it's raining I'll be coming home earlier.
For those who may want to know what plein air painting in the rain looks like, I will eventually be at the pavilion in Branford Park. I may be there at two, but probably by three.
There seems to be nothing else on offer, so why not join me.




Painted in the rain just south of Mangaweka in early December.
It can be done.
It's just a bit uncomfortable. Heh.


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Anzac Memorial. Nelson

I painted this in the lovely Anzac Park in the centre of Nelson. It is a quiet contemplative place, and a delightful oasis from the bustle of town. The red geraniums caught my eye today. The gardens are more magnificent than usual. It must be because of the centennial. Seagulls are no respecters of monuments or memorials, so as he watched me painting, I returned the compliment and included him in the composition.



15028. "Anzac Memorial". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any painting from this bolt may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz


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Anzac Memorial

I was looking for some bright colour, and some shade to stand under, when I glanced into Anzac Park on the way past. I was captured by the brilliant scarlet of the geraniums. The gardens are more magnificent this year than usual. I think it must be because it is the centennial year that they are making a special effort. It is a very quiet moving place. A lovely oasis in the centre of the city. I note that seagulls are no respecters of monuments or memorials. He watched me painting so I returned the compliment and included him in the composition.



15028. "Anzac Memorial". Oil on panel. 6x8in. $100

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at
rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Sunday in the Queens Gardens

I must apologise.
I'm running into some unanticipated problems running two blogs.
I find that sometimes I am inadvertently posting my daily painting blog onto the PAPON blog.
Bother. Never mind.

Here is the correct Sunday post.

We met in the Queens Gardens at 2pm. It was another scorcher, but fortunately there was plenty of shade. Again, there were six people painting, but a different group from last Sunday.

That gives us ten occasional painters and that is good. As long as there is a perceived need and interest then PAPON will continue.


"Kite Surfers at Tahunanui." Oil on panel. 6x8in.

I have already posted the fountain painting in my previous post. This one was painted earlier in the week. It was another hot day, with a sea breeze building. No wonder there were so many kite surfers. I counted about twenty, with more arriving as I left.

I would like to post other members paintings in this blog. Please send them to me by email, with details as to size and media.

It looks as if next Sunday it will be raining. Probably because it is a holiday weekend. I will be over at Golden Bay, painting at Wharariki. Alternative arrangements can be made if people want this.

Email me with suggestions.

Cheers. Ross


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Rose Garden Fountain

Another very hot summer's day, but it was very nice and cool standing in the shade in the Queens Gardens. One of my basic axioms re plein air painting is to find a nice comfortable spot, and then look around for a suitable subject.
The other method is to find a subject and then find somewhere to stand and paint it that is not entirely intolerable.
Today I was fortunate that the best view of the fountain included a bed of red floribundas and ample shade.



15025. Rose Garden Fountain. Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@'inspire.net.nz


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