Last stand trees on hilltop next to Humberlea road

 

Bolton Ontario has a long valley cutting through it which creates rather steep embankments and narrow hills. On top of one of the narrow hills there is a stand of trees, tall pine trees with orange bark and dense undergrowth. Unfortunately with these trees have succumb to the tree worms and every year a few more of them fall over. I composed this scene to show how the remaining trees are making a last stand, almost hugging each other for support.

Last stand trees, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2024

 

While I waited for the background sky element to dry in the last stand painting, I turned and made a quick one of the steep Humberlea road that goes up to the south hill. Its a great way to get a leg workout too if you are walking but most people were driving.

Humberlea road through the trees, watercolour 6 x 7.5" cold press, November 2024

 

Here is the first painting I did on the location. Based on how this went I made some adjustments for the other two paintings. It was very cool and overcast without much sun, and you can see how the washes collapsed in the painting creating a blurred effect. I still like the colours here, the red/green pops against the beige and grey background.

Trees on hilltop, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, November 2024