Winter In Gyllbergen

Winter In Gyllbergen by Martin Howard (2005)
Watercolour, 40.6 x 30.5 cm, 140 lb Fine grain paper.
Gyllbergen Nature Reserve, Borlänge, Sweden.

Gyllbergen is the largest nature reserve where I live in Borlänge, Sweden. I haven't been there for several years, but I can't forget the breathtaking beauty of Gyllbergen in the winter. I went cross country skiing there when I was quite new to Sweden and I had never seen anything like it before. It is mostly pine forest with lots of open spaces too. There are ski paths to follow or you can just go your own way. It is incredibly scenic, peaceful and with wonderful fresh air. On at least one occasion when I was there, it was a bright sunny day, much like in this painting. I did this painting from photo which I borrowed. It was a challenge for me, having never painted a snowy landscape before. Also there were people in the photo which were the main subject. When I took them out, there wasn't much left to paint. When I had finished the painting, I was so pleased with the result. It is one of those paintings that I look at and wonder, did I do that?