View Towards Queenstown | 8" x 10" | Plein Air Oil Painting

In the fleeting moments between a day of very wet weather and darkness, I captured this dramatic vista of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown's distant lights, framed by the iconic silhouettes of Lombardy poplars against snow-dusted mountain peaks. This 8" x 10" plein air oil painting on linen panel tells the story of determination, weather, and the raw beauty of New Zealand's Southern Alps.

My Story Behind the Painting

It had been raining all day, and I watched as fresh snow settled on the mountain peaks surrounding Queenstown. Just as I was resigned to losing the light, the weather cleared for a precious hour and a half window before darkness would fall. I knew this was my chance - grabbing my easel and oils, I set up to capture this magnificent view towards Queenstown across Lake Wakatipu.

Working against time and the elements, I painted with urgency as my fingers grew numb from the cold mountain air. The Lombardy poplars stood like sentinels in the foreground, their leaves just beginning their autumn transformation, creating a perfect natural frame for the dramatic backdrop of snow-capped peaks and the distant glow of the last evening light reflecting on the lake's surface.

Every brushstroke was deliberate yet swift. I started by painting the dark values first, and then layered the soft, cloud-scattered sky while the light held. I quickly worked the contrast between the dark, majestic trees and the luminous mountains beyond. The interplay of light and shadow across the lush foreground captures that magical moment when stormy weather gives way to clarity, revealing nature's grandeur in all its raw beauty.

For the Discerning Collector

This original oil painting on professional linen panel represents the authentic plein air tradition at its most challenging and rewarding. Created under dramatic weather conditions, it embodies the spontaneity and emotional intensity that can only be achieved when painting directly from nature. The intimate scale and horizontal format make it perfect for both residential and commercial spaces seeking sophisticated landscape art.

Painted in one of New Zealand's most iconic locations, this piece carries the romance of place and the integrity of authentic outdoor painting. The moody palette of storm-cleared skies, snow-touched peaks, and golden-green foliage creates a sense of drama and tranquility that will transform any interior space.

The professional linen panel ensures archival quality and longevity, making this not just a beautiful artwork but a sound investment in authentic New Zealand landscape art.

View Towards Queenstown | 8" x 10" | Original Plein Air Oil Painting on Linen Panel by Samuel Earp | Ready to Frame