‘Capturing Elusive Atmospheres: Painting the Invisible in Oil Landscapes’
In the realm of oil painting, few feats are more captivating than the ability to capture the ephemeral, the intangible, and the ever-changing nature of the landscape. We learned this the hard way… As artists, we are tasked with the challenge of translating the essence of a scene—the shifting light, the fleeting atmospheric conditions, the emotive qualities that linger on the edge of our senses—onto the static canvas. It is a pursuit that requires not just technical mastery, but a deep understanding of the creative process and an unwavering dedication to the pursuit of the ‘invisible’.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Painting the Invisible
At the heart of this endeavour lies the desire to convey more than just a literal representation of a landscape. We seek to imbue our work with a sense of mood, atmosphere, and the intangible qualities that defy straightforward depiction. This process is often described as “painting the invisible”—the art of capturing the ephemeral and elusive elements that give a landscape its unique character and emotional resonance.
One artist who has dedicated his life to this pursuit is Philip Wolfhagen, a Tasmanian landscape painter whose work has been celebrated for its poetic interpretation of the natural world. Wolfhagen’s paintings are not merely photographic renderings, but rather, they are distillations of his profound connection to the land and his desire to communicate the essence of his experiences.
As Wolfhagen explains, “I am chasing the absolute love I feel for the world we live in, for the Tasmanian environment, and I want other people to feel that too. Painting can’t be described scientifically … what it communicates … there are things about the human experience that can’t be explained – that’s why people make art.”
Mastering the Techniques
Achieving this level of emotional resonance in oil painting requires a deep understanding of both technical and creative principles. Wolfhagen, who has honed his craft over decades, is well-versed in the nuances of oil painting, from the careful preparation of the canvas to the application of paint.
One of the key techniques Wolfhagen employs is alla prima, or wet-on-wet painting. This method allows him to work quickly, layering and blending the paint directly on the canvas to capture the fleeting qualities of the landscape. By embracing the inherent fluidity and unpredictability of the medium, Wolfhagen is able to imbue his work with a sense of spontaneity and energy that reflects the ever-changing nature of the natural world.
Alongside his mastery of alla prima techniques, Wolfhagen also utilizes plein air painting, where he ventures out into the field to study the landscape in person. This direct engagement with the environment allows him to build a deeper understanding of the subtle shifts in light, atmosphere, and mood that he seeks to translate onto the canvas.
The Role of Creative Inspiration
While technical proficiency is essential, Wolfhagen’s paintings are ultimately driven by his deep personal connection to the Tasmanian landscape. He explains, “Why Tasmania? It’s home, it’s my place. Through my paintings I am trying to create a deep sense of belonging to a place … that’s why I paint.”
This sense of place, of belonging to a specific environment, is a crucial element in Wolfhagen’s creative process. By immersing himself in the natural world, he is able to tap into the emotional experiences and intuitive responses that inform his artistic vision.
Wolfhagen’s creative inspiration also extends beyond the physical landscape, drawing upon the intangible qualities of the environment, such as the ever-changing play of light and shadow, the rhythm of the wind, and the ephemeral nature of atmospheric conditions. These elements become the foundation for his expressive interpretations, as he seeks to translate the invisible into the tangible medium of oil paint.
Capturing Elusive Atmospheres
One of the hallmarks of Wolfhagen’s work is his ability to convey the elusive and fleeting qualities of the landscape, particularly the play of light and atmosphere. Through his masterful use of colour, texture, and brushwork, he is able to evoke a sense of the transient, the ephemeral, and the ever-changing nature of the natural world.
In his paintings, the viewer is drawn into a realm of subtle shifts and nuanced gradations, where the boundaries between the tangible and the intangible blur. The soft, atmospheric hues of the sky, the interplay of light and shadow on the land, and the sense of depth and distance all contribute to a captivating sense of place that transcends mere representation.
Wolfhagen’s approach to capturing elusive atmospheres is not just a technical exercise, but a deeply personal and emotive journey. As he explains, “I often do my best painting when I am less conscious of what I’m doing. The music helps me become a conduit between nature and painting.”
By immersing himself in the creative flow, Wolfhagen is able to tap into the subconscious and intuitive aspects of the artistic process, allowing him to translate the invisible qualities of the landscape into a visual language that resonates with the viewer on a profound level.
The Enduring Power of Landscape Painting
The art of capturing the ephemeral and the intangible in landscape painting is a pursuit that has captivated artists for centuries. From the luminous canvases of J.M.W. Turner to the atmospheric renderings of John Constable, the ability to convey the emotional essence of a place has been a driving force in the evolution of the genre.
In the work of Philip Wolfhagen, we see a continuation of this rich tradition, a testament to the enduring power of landscape painting to transcend the purely physical and to connect with the deeper aspects of the human experience. By imbuing his paintings with a sense of the invisible, Wolfhagen invites the viewer to engage with the work on a level that goes beyond the surface, to explore the nuances of light, colour, and atmosphere that evoke a deeper sense of place and belonging.
As Wolfhagen himself notes, “Painting can’t be described scientifically … what it communicates … there are things about the human experience that can’t be explained – that’s why people make art.” It is in this pursuit of the intangible, the elusive, and the emotionally resonant that the true power of landscape painting lies, and it is artists like Philip Wolfhagen who continue to push the boundaries of this timeless art form.
Statistic: Recent surveys show that 70% of emerging artists credit daily sketching with significant improvements in their art