The Making of a Painting “Wild Wicklow” oil on canvas by Robert Harcus
The start, image1. Placing the stag, the most important element in the painting, and the suggested winter landscape. A very rough impression but not to be underestimated starting point in any piece in the artist's realistic/impressionistic style.
Image2 At this stage the painting is approximately at the half way point. The stag is 75% complete, some more detail needed on the tail and particularily the antlers. Te landscape is still very roughly indicated but counterchange is happening particularily behind the stag's head.
image3 The completed painting. The artist finally happy with the alert posture of the stag and the wary look in the eye. The eye is traditionally the section of anatomy which gives most problems, but this artist finds the mouth is equally if not more bothersome. After this the landscape almost painted itself, making sure to keep the tones in a low key and banishing pure white from the canvas.
One final critical look. A glass of red and the painting is ready for framing.