Four Seasons – Winter, is available to purchase individually for £6,250, or, the suite of Four Seasons, four-paintings, can be purchased as a complete set for £22,500.

“Welcome to our studio and thank you for dropping by to view this miniature Masterworks oil painting, ‘Four Seasons – Spring”. One of a suite of four paintings in a collection to celebrate the distinct nature of the four seasons.

Having always wanted to capture a specific view that epitomises our landscape, here in the Highlands of Scotland, as it changes throughout the seasons, this scene provided the perfect opportunity. Being close to our cottage and studio, I could wait for those special moments when light and colour combine to perfection.

WINTER – An afternoon view, with the Winter sun hanging low in the sky, yet no less intense for all that as it picks out the sheep in this view, providing strong contrasts against the snow and long shadows. The view looks so cosy, but those poor sheep were frosted with ice. They are a hardy lot, up here in the Highlands. The colossus of the moon is heightened when hanging this close to the horizon, with its sun-tinged colouring – one of our favourite visions at this time of year.

SUBJECT – Colours change so frequently here that at first glance it almost doesn’t seem to be the same view. The distant farm is the key, its silhouette remains unchanged throughout the four paintings. However, the prominence given to this group of buildings does vary, dictated by the effects of the light all around.

COMPOSITION – This gently varies from painting to painting. In each case, the horizon is moved depending on the importance of the land versus the sky, or vice versa. Interestingly the varying direction of light also sculpts the forms in assorted ways. This is most vividly seen on the farm buildings, where the diverse characteristics of surfaces are lit from different directions; sometimes seen as a dark silhouette against more gentle light, others sharp-edged with the winter snow. It is also fascinating how changing weather conditions bring different elements into focus. Each variable demands a different approach to the composition, to fully exploit the beauty of the elements that influence this ever-changing landscape.

METHOD & TECHNIQUE – Being miniature oil paintings, these landscapes demanded very precise brushwork. Impasto layers of paint, coupled with glazes and tints - the traditional tools of the oil painter - are used extensively. Flat areas of colour is used to make areas fall back, so that they demand less attention; whereas impasto application provides texture and focus. Tints and glazes, either soften or intensify colour, providing semi-opaque or transparent colour mixes, to enhance the underlaying structure of the paint surface – essential in rendering depth and form to the composition.

As always, we thank you for reading and watching, with best wishes from Eileen and myself,”

Paul Taggart

Artist : Author : Presenter : Producer