Every so often, a painting arrives almost as a whisper—an idea that nudges its way into the imagination and refuses to leave. Guardians of the Glade was one of those pieces for me. What began as a simple exploration of texture and limited color towards my entry for FabrianoinAcquarello2026, became a quiet tribute to the secretive, steadfast creatures of the forest: the badgers.
A Trio in the Trees
At the heart of the painting are three badgers, their forms emerging from an abstract woodland. They feel like spirits of the glade—watchful, grounded, and deeply connected to the land they inhabit. Their presence anchors the composition, giving the viewer a sense of both curiosity and calm.
Painting With Restraint: Blues, Browns, and Oranges
Limiting myself to shades of blue, browns, and oranges was a deliberate choice. These hues carry a natural harmony:
- Blues bring a cool, misty stillness—like dawn settling between the trees.
- Browns root the scene in earth and bark, giving the forest its quiet strength.
- Oranges add warmth and life, hinting at the glow of late sunlight filtering through the canopy.
Together, they create a palette that feels both grounded and dreamlike, perfect for a woodland that exists somewhere between reality and imagination.
The Magic of Cling Film
One of my favorite aspects of this piece is the texture. Instead of relying solely on brushes, I used cling film to shape the abstract forest. Pressing and lifting the film across wet watercolor created organic, unpredictable patterns—branch‑like fractures, soft veils of color, and subtle ripples that mimic the layered depth of woodland spaces.
This technique allowed the background to feel alive, as though the forest itself is shifting and breathing around the badgers.
Why Badgers?
Badgers are elusive yet iconic, gentle yet resilient. In Guardians of the Glade, they stand as quiet protectors—symbols of endurance, community, and the hidden wonders of the natural world. Painting them felt like honoring the creatures we rarely see but often sense.
A Glade Worth Guarding
Ultimately, this piece is about presence: the presence of wildlife, the presence of texture, and the presence of color working in harmony. Guardians of the Glade invites viewers to pause, look closer, and imagine the stories unfolding in the spaces between the trees.
If you’ve ever wandered through a forest and felt watched—in a comforting, ancient way—you already know the feeling this painting hopes to capture.