World Inspired Landscapes: Burkina Faso

 

Burkina Faso is centrally located in the north west of Africa along the Sahara desert. It is punctuated by sandstone cliffs and flat expanses of desert and savanna.  The climate is variable. It is mostly arid but they have terrible rains that flood out the land, and epic sandstorms from the desert. Sandstone cliffs rise from the ground like a crocodile's teeth. Speaking of crocodiles, there is one lurking in the foreground, along with a wary water buffalo in the corner. This was the third version, it captures the atmospheric effect of an impending sandstorm. The sandstone cliffs create tension, as does the interplay between crocodile and water buffalo.

WIL Burkina Faso III, 9 x 6" watercolour paper, watercolour, October 2021

 

This was the second version. To better represent the sand storm I showed more sky than the first version (Below). The colours scheme was also restricted, there is less yellow and red. I realized afterwards that Burkina Faso has a lot less palm trees than you see in this painting. And the sand storm was not menacing enough! I had imagined a more neutral, earthy palette.

 WIL Burkina Faso II, 9 x 6" watercolour paper, watercolour, October 2021 (No. 2892a)

 

This started out as a palette cleanser then morphed into another installment of the world inspired landscapes. In the series, I assimilate a variety of sources into an original painting of a country. I am going roughly in alphabetical order starting with A, then B countries. The design included some sandstone rocks, swaying palm trees, rugged terrain and an imposing sky meant to be a sandstorm.

WIL Burkina Faso I, 9 x 12" watercolour paper, watercolour, October 2021 (No. 2892b)