FRESH AIR
Max in his Studio. Photography by Lily Bungay
ARTISTS FOREWORD
These paintings came from an internal need for peace, in an attempt to create something quiet and calming for myself. Each painting was sparked by a clear idea in the landscape, and through a long process of discovery and meditation they were distilled into something which represented the essence of that initial spark. I spend a lot of time thinking about each piece, away from the brushes, moulding the compositions in my mind over time. When I'm painting, I'm guided by those feelings, my memory, and a drive to capture my connection to a place or a mood. Any reference material becomes secondary to my emotional memory of the landscape.
When I began working towards this exhibition, I was interested in what happens when I start to force my own ideas into the landscape; swapping colours, taking out objects, moving hedgerows and trees, clearing everything artificial or stale out of the frame, all to enhance that sense of peace I long for — whilst allowing my emotions, hesitations, and curiosities to blossom from the palette knife to the paint surface. The inspiration lives between moments in time: things half remembered, sensed, warped, rather than copied or rendered. Making this work meant slowing down, trusting my process, and making a choice to paint things which made my world feel less chaotic and fragile. I hope the paintings help people find the same peace I did when I painted them.
Max White, 2026
WORKSHOPS
Date: Saturday 2nd May 2026
Time: 12:00 - 15:00 pm
Venue: The Gallery at Green & Stone
Tickets: £60
The Postcard Landscape
In this focused and practical workshop, artist Max White will guide participants through a structured process for composing and painting the landscape in oils. Working small, at a postcard scale, the session explores how simplified drawing, organised values, and thoughtful colour choices can transform a simple idea into a compelling composition.
The workshop begins with a series of quick thumbnail sketches on paper, establishing rudimentary compositions from photo-references. Max will discuss common pitfalls and guide the group through ways of simplifying and strengthening a design before moving into paint.
Once a promising composition has been found, participants will create a set of rapid value studies, working with only three or four tonal values. These studies help establish the underlying structure of the painting and serve as the foundation for colour.
From there, each participant will experiment with three limited colour palettes—such as complementary, analogous, or triadic harmonies—producing a series of quick colour studies based on their chosen value sketch. This stage encourages exploration and helps demonstrate how dramatically colour relationships can influence the mood of a landscape.
Finally, participants will develop a small “postcard” oil painting on a specially prepared panel, developing the studies into a finished thumbnail work.
With plenty of group instruction and one-to-one help, this workshop is a rare and valuable chance to learn from an incredible artist, whether you are a complete beginner or professional branching into new subject matter.
All levels are welcome. No prior experience is necessary.
All art materials are provided by Green & Stone.
Soft Drinks and snacks will be provided.