Derwent Flow - A Commissioned Case Study from The Lakes

As August draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the rhythm of this month’s work - a rhythm guided by water, sky, and the effortless grace of movement in nature. One Artwork I’ve recently completed is a commissioned artwork titled Derwent Flow, a large-scale painting (150cm x 100cm) that carries the spirit of Derwentwater and the Lake District into its forever home further afield.

The essence of this painting was born at the lakeside, watching bird flight paths skim and arc across the surface of the water. These fleeting, natural gestures became the foundation of the composition - markings of freedom and motion that echo the lake’s own rhythm. My process, as always, is rooted in capturing these natural movements in situ, translating them later into the language of paint and gesture on canvas.

For this commission, the colour palette was carefully developed with my collectors in mind, harmonising with their interior while holding true to the natural landscape. Layers of blues, silvers, and fresh greens capture the cool depth of water and the shimmer of light across its surface. A quiet touch of soft pink breathes warmth into the piece - a gentle reminder of dawn skies reflected across the lake. Each brushstroke seeks to carry that balance of calm and vitality, of stillness and motion, found so often in the Lake District’s changing waters.

The scale of Derwent Flow allows it to hold presence within a room, yet its movements remain delicate, echoing the graceful lines of flight that first inspired it. To me, this is what makes commissions so rewarding: each one becomes both a deeply personal response to the land and a bespoke creation designed to live harmoniously in the home it was made for.

Seeing the finished work finally placed within its new setting is always a joy -  the moment when the journey from water’s edge to canvas, and then to home, feels complete.

Until next month, I hope the changing season brings you moments of stillness, beauty, and inspiration.

Warmly,
Charlotte