Growing up reading and watching novels and movies set in the UK I knew I would likely experience some overcast and moody days when I visited Scotland. I would say the weather during our trip was perfect. We got to see bright and sunny days as well as some cloudy days that accentuated the moodiness of the landscapes we saw.

When I think of bright and sunny days in nature I think about how the sun makes all of the colors pop and seem extra vibrant. It allows you to feel the warmth of the sunshine and gives a happy feeling. That’s how I felt and what I wanted to communicate in pieces like Highland Landscape with Cows, Highland Pastoral, Persicornia Bicornis Bush, and Looking Towards Brothers Point.

Top Left: Highland Landscape with Cows, Top Right: Highland Pastoral

Bottom Left: Persicaria Bicornis Bush, Bottom Right: Looking Towards Brothers Point

On the other side of the spectrum there are also a lot of days where the sky was overcast, and the colors and brightness in the landscapes I painted were muted. This allows the viewer to experience a more moody painting where they can see all the subtle changes in tone, shadow, and vibrancy. The bright colors are still there. They are just on a quieter level. I think paintings like these can encourage introspection and help a different kind of story come through.

Top Left: A Cloudy Day at the Loch, Top Right: Old Man Storr

Bottom Left: Beached Boat On The Shore, Bottom Right: Kyleakin Bay At Low Tide

Whether it’s a sunny day or an overcast day there are so many ways you can use the lights, shadows and varying color ranges to create an emotion with you piece that encourages dialogue and introspection.