A few months ago I painted this portrait of a neighbour's old Ford tractor. A few days ago we visited again, and I couldn't resist a new challenge on the same tractor, now in a new position and in different weather. I feel I am still way too dependent on the reference photo and find it very difficult not to include "everything" in a painting from a photo. Much better to paint from life, but what can we do this time of year? I will spend time this winter on simplifying and loosen up, to see if I can free myself a bit from the detail devil. If anyone has any advice on how that can be approached, I am all ears. I have no lack of inspiration from books and other sources, but somehow I don't seem to get there even when I try. I guess the secret is in spending more time 'just painting', so maybe I should refrain from 'realistic painting' for a while.

Anyway, I did enjoy making this painting, or maybe I should call it a coloured drawing? Any comments and suggestions are most welcome.