Winter’s Approach and Muted Palettes

There is a distinct point in autumn when the landscape flattens out and the air sharpens. The bright colours of summer here on Dartmoor are gone, leaving behind a much simpler, cleaner view outside the window.

As a contemporary artist, I always look forward to this transition. The approach of winter naturally changes the pace in the studio, bringing a quieter energy that goes straight into the work.

Right now, that shift is steering my current oil & cold wax, and mixed media pieces on panels, paper and canvas.

Building up the surface

Working with oil and cold wax is a very tactile process. This time of year, it feels particularly relevant, building up several layers of paint and creating surfaces that feel substantial but calm.

The cold wax gives the oil paint a soft, matte finish and beneath the top layers are buried pieces of collage and other dry materials directly into the paint. Combined with oil bar marks and marble dust, these elements create a subtle, recessed texture that mirrors the stripped-back look of late autumn/early winter nature.

A contemporary neutral palette

Winter light is flat and diffused, which is brilliant for seeing subtle shifts in tone. My current palette is focused on clean neutrals intended to feel grounding indoors:

• Soft whites and neutrals to capture the cool light of overcast days.

• Slate greys and graphite to give some structure.

• Raw earth tones and soft ochres to add a quiet sense of warmth.

A slower pace in the studio

When the weather turns, the studio becomes a great sanctuary. With the heating on and a hot drink to hand, the shorter days encourage a much more deliberate way of working.

Because oil and wax layers take time to settle, there is no rushing the process. I have been spending time scraping back into the semi-dry paint, uncovering glimpses of the paper fragments and brighter colours buried underneath—a bit like catching a sudden flash of winter sun.

What is coming next

I am currently working on a new series of semi-abstract and abstract mixed media pieces inspired by this change in the season. The collection includes both large-scale statement pieces and smaller, more intimate works, making them versatile for different spaces and decor. They are textured, contemporary, and intended to bring a sense of quiet warmth to a room as the nights draw in.