Through The Trees
My primary interest in painting for the last 40 years has been how to depict and respond to a range of landscapes. Before I can begin to think about painting a place, there has to be a specific reason to do so, and the place must have a particular resonance with me. My recent work can be divided up into three groups: paintings of Tuscany and Umbria, paintings of Andalucía and paintings of the Thames Estuary around the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marsh, not too far from my home.
Tuscan Blossoms
In each place I ask myself what is ‘paintable’, what is it about these places that is unique, and what is my relationship to them. Paintings develop from an extended process of drawing in front of the landscape, but they are made in the tranquility of my studio away from the landscape. In this way I am able to combine a number of elements such as imagination, invention, recollection and memory.
Val d’Orcia
My paintings do not progress according to predetermined stages, when I start a painting there is no preconceived idea about what the painting may eventually look like. In this way my paintings change many times, with the paint being wiped and scraped away and the image lost, changed and reclaimed until it is ‘right’. Additionally drawings are works in their own right, and are not really preparatory studies for paintings, although what I discover through the process of drawing may add to the well of images in my memory.
Summer Umbria
Tuscany and Umbria: These paintings have been made after many sparkling spring or late autumn visits, wandering around the gentle slopes of the landscape near the village of Marcialla, within reach of San Gimignano and an easy drive to Siena Province.
Autumn San Gimignano
Having learned the names of all the famous Florentine and Sienese artists as a schoolboy, I was walking in the footsteps that fed their visual inspiration. The chalky colours, the patterns of wild and cultivated land, the timeless quietness became my inspiration too. The process of making these and all my work has been nurtured by my fascination with the power of memory and recollection to create images which I hope possess an emotional and visual resonance.
Pienza
Through The Trees Pienza
My last visit to Italy was November 2019 for the canonisation of Cardinal Newman. For the final two days of my visit I travelled by train from Roma Termini to Orvieto. I love the landscape which is seen far below the town ramparts, and have been trying to paint it for the last 20 years.
From Orvieto
From The Balcony Orvieto
I never tire of looking at it in all its variations of light, colour and atmosphere. It is a landscape unchanged for centuries. This time I took a small 5″x7″ sketchbook and a couple of pens, and spent time just being there, looking and drawing. The painting ‘From The Balcony Orvieto’ is the result of those few precious days in Italy.
Andalucía
Andalucía: This group of paintings are of an area in the hills south of Granada on the way to Córdoba, around the historic and beautiful village of Moclin. There is still evidence of prehistoric dwellings here, and in the 14th century Moclin was on the route of the Caliphs. There are breathtaking views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains and views down to Granada.
South of Granada
The village nestles amongst almond and olive groves. It is quite different to Tuscany and Umbria in that it is a more rugged place, but it is equally beautiful. During the Spanish Civil War some buildings (now restored) were partly destroyed. Historically the village is imbued with a sense of history which is palpable. During my all too brief visit drawings were made from a vantage point near some Moorish watch towers, which served to track the movements of Christian troops, and which provide wonderful high viewpoints to look at the awe inspiring landscape.
River Tree
Rainham Marsh and the Thames Estuary: I don’t have to travel far to be at Rainham Marsh. Rainham is an RSPB reserve located not too far from the bustling streets of the city of London. You can see Canary Wharf to the west. The interest for me here is the interplay of the Thames, the Marsh and industry. It’s quite unique and took me a while before I understood Rainham’s visual potential. I fill sketchbooks with drawings looking across the Marsh with its discrete hides, towards the busy A13 and Eurostar line. Peregrine falcons, hobbies, whitethroats, Cetti’s warblers, bearded tits, spoonbills and hundreds of other species of birds fill the reserve with a cacophony of noise. I love the fact that it’s a bit of a magical hinterland. The landscape is prehistoric with remnants of ancient trees. In more recent times it became a munitions storage area for the Army and was a firing range in both world wars. The Army offered it to the RSPB and it was opened to the public in 2000.
Folly
In the studio: I use a fairly limited set of colours and prefer to use Michael Hardings oil paints, but use Williamsburg and Old Holland paints too. I use a Liquin medium. My regular colours, the ones I always have are: Cadmium Yellow Light, Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Raw Umber, Kings Blue Light, Cerulean, Cobalt Blue, Ultramarine, Cadmium Scarlet and Magenta. Sometimes I’ll introduce one or two others but this is my go to set of colours. I use a few whites, Cremnitz White and Michael Hardings Titanium #1. I have three wooden palettes which after a set of paintings I’ll scrape down and I use a 24″x16″ thick sheet of glass to mix on. I’m not very organised when I arrange colours on my palette but I try to arrange them in families of colours.
New compositions: Anticipation grows as I glimpse something I want to see and draw whether I am walking or driving. Often I will see my goal partly hidden or obscured by trees or foliage. I rarely see a clear view. Riding on a train to a beautiful house or village it is obscured by trees and evades scrutiny. The train hurtles on. For those and other reasons in recent works I have started to incorporate trees into my compositions as strong vertical elements counterbalancing the horizontal divisions of the landscape. The combination of both horizontal and vertical hold many possibilities for me.
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A Tuscan Sonnet
The Orange sunrise over Certaldo
greets silent echoes of Decameron
as they whisper ancient opinion
of the lost spirit of Boccaccio.
A bitter sweet taste of Pecorino
fills the moist air with anticipation
for eternal carnal supplication
drunk from a bottle of Vino Santo.
Rolling landscape and dusty forest track
to Empoli past sober Tavarnelle
where opposing factions make their last attack
and create a scene from the depths of hell
besieged and locked in a towering stack
haunted by the sound of a tolling bell.
Written by my friend Huw Morgan, and shared here in appreciation of his fine companionship during our stay in Tuscany in October 2014. Some of the paintings on show at the Rowley Gallery were painted from that memorable trip.
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Fabulous paintings and wonderful to be let in on the “story” behind their conception and execution.
I must visit the gallery!
Stunning, vibrant paintings. « Through the Trees Pienza » is jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Very lovely paintings – especially enjoy the use of colour to depict light and also the very high horizon lines. Can recognise the different locations just by the colour palette used. Well done Paul.
Paul Finn’s art is exceptional. I was drawn to it for a multitude of reasons. Firstly as a regular traveller to Tuscany, I was able to revisit this region through his painting; his sensitivity to the unique lighting unique to the Tuscan region is captured magnificently. The colours known only to this region, are superbly captured and it was a joy to wander through the Italian landscape again… especially as during these times when travel has been curtailed. I note Paul Finn is a regular visitor of the RSPB Rainham Marsh nature reserve, as a keen bird watcher I could relate to his work with the same level respect to nature; it is easy to see and feel this in the way he has considered the composition, the perspective and depth of field… you get a sense of being allowed in to view nature as it should be, untouched and unspoilt. Acres of beauty in oil paint.
Paul, what never ceases to amaze me about your work is the softness of the colours and the shapes in your landscapes. They are in total contrast to the hard edges and monochrome of the industrial landscape where we were raised. Inspirational work.
I absolutely adore Paul’s paintings. They take me back to my days living in Andalusia and my holidays in Italy. The pallet of colours he uses I find beautifully calming and I could stare at each piece for hours just day dreaming and longing to return….
Beautiful Pictures Paul and a lovely and different way to see Italy at its beauty. Thank you your explanations your love for what you do comes out in the paintings and the blog. Thank you.
Truly beautiful paintings, Mr Finn. In each of these landscapes, I can feel the emotional impression and wonder these places have had on you. The limited palette gives such a unique characteristic to your style, yet it’s far from limited in depth and detail. I look forward to visiting some of these places one day to experience all that you have
Paul Finn is an outstanding artist whom I have known since the early 1970’s. Even at art college he was seeing things we were not. Love, love all of his work.
This is fantastic work! I have been following Paul Finn’s work for a little while now, and have always been very impressed. Great to learn more about the process here too! Keep up the good work, Mr Finn.
Paul your paintings are really beautiful with wonderful creativity. Great detailed work with a variety of colours and shapes in your landscapes.
I just cannot get my eyes off each and every one of your paintings. Great work.
Beautiful paintings, Paul! All your paintings show us the story of land where I visited and I am familiar too.
The clarity of colours, playful brush mark embrace the gift of nature, joy of life.
It’s always a pleasure seeing your new works, so refreshing.
Painting course next year sounds very interesting as well.
Since it is near by I would love to visit the Rowley Gallery very soon.
Paul’s work has been inspiring me for many years, his paintings touch the heart and the soul and he manages to capture the landscapes he paints so beautifully- they are controlled but playful and the composition and brush strokes almost sing to you.
Every time I look at these paintings they bring a warmth and energy that can only be conveyed by someone that is so passionate and committed. I love his work and look forward to seeing these at the gallery!
A Beautiful set of stunning paintings, love the vibrant colours used in all, especially ‘Tuscan Blossoms’ great to see your journeys captured in each one of them. Very inspiring to read and see how you have encapsulated the landscapes in your summary of each place. Wonderful Paul.
It is quite beautiful to read about the thought process behind the paintings, as we get to understand the way Paul Finn decides where to place not only his sight but also colour and brush strokes. No painting is the same. I also adore the colour palate used in them especially, in ‘Folly’ and ‘Through the Trees Pienza’
Stunning work. I love your palette and the stories behind your work Paul. Expressive but controlled brushwork. Every painting is a joy
For me, Paul’s paintings capture an appreciation and respect for the beauty of nature and art – which transcend into positive thought and a peaceful state of mind.
His love and passion for painting and art is contagious which inspires those who around him and those who are privileged to be taught by him. Always look forward to his new works.
Wonderful to read more about Paul’s process and inspirations. The colour palette for each location is so distinct, you can really see how much thought has gone into his work, each brushstroke has been considered. It is very inspiring to me how he has spent multiple years focussed on depicting certain landscapes to create a body of work. The poem is a joy too.
Beautiful paintings Paul, your style is always instantly recognisable and a true inspiration. The way you depict each landscape from the vibrant colours representing the dancing light to the strong brushstrokes and shapes that build up each composition. Your passion and the impression each location has on you shines through in each and every piece.
It is always good to see what you have been working on Paul. I like the strength of the compositions which seems to come from a struggle to calm or contain the random and unpredictable nature of landscapes which have had thousands of years of human agriculture and work marking them. The verticals of trees, like the leading of stained glass windows, contains the colour, holding it’s potential slipping and sliding. It has just come to me that this quality suggesting stained glass windows might be something to do with your faith. I spent many years in and out of churches as a choir boy and the Victorian windows with their deep colour must have seeped into my love of colour. I wonder if you have similar links or influences. Terrific work. Sorry not to have seen your window.
Beautiful work, as usual, from a talented artist. The burst of colour shown in ‘Folly’ particularly stands out to me. Well done Paul.
This was a very interesting read. Paul’s art is always so inspiring and immensely beautiful. Very lucky to have two of his pieces hung proudly on my wall.
A beautiful set of paintings , I particularly love the lazy summer day feel of the ‘folly’ and stealing a look at a beautiful Italian scene through the trees in Tuscany.
I have admired your amazing work for the past 20 years, Paul. Your wonderful use of colour draws me into each piece. I love to follow what you are working on and it’s always a joy when you share your techniques and thoughts. My daughter was unbelievably lucky to be taught by such a gifted man.
I love the vibrancy and energy that exudes from Paul’s work. I look forward to seeing his work in person as well as visiting the inspirational Italian landscapes he captures so perfectly.
It’s easy to get lost in these paintings – each piece is beautifully captivating in its own right and a true testament to these extraordinary and unassuming places. I love it all – their energy, stories, vibrant colour palettes, and organic evolution, but “Folly” is a personal favourite – an incredible feast for the eyes!
Beautiful, beautiful pictures. I especially like colours in Tuscan blooms and folly. Would love to have them hanging in my house ,though think I would find them distracting as I would keep stopping to admire them! Very interesting to read more about the thinking behind the paintings too – keep up the good work Paul
Extraordinary paintings by an extraordinary artist, I will never find the right words to interpret my feelings.
when I immersed through his work, It touched me deeply and took me to these places where the artwork s originally been created . Thank you Paul for giving us the tranquility through the softness of your colours.
I am just constantly amazed by this artist’s work. I love the way he sees the world and is able to interpret it through his beautiful paintings one of which I have in my home. They bring colour, harmony and joy to this world