Late Afternoon 

Ralph Blakelock captured this evocative scene of ‘Late Afternoon’ with oil on canvas. The eye is immediately drawn to the radiant opening, a concentrated burst of light framed by the darker, silhouetted forms of the trees. This contrast doesn’t just define the composition; it evokes a deep sense of mystery, hinting at hidden depths within the natural world. The thick, layered paint application gives a tactile quality to the foliage, almost obscuring the light filtering through. This play of light and shadow suggests the influence of tonalism. Blakelock’s emphasis on mood and atmosphere transcends mere representation. He transforms the landscape into a semiotic space, inviting viewers to contemplate the boundaries between the visible and the unseen. Through his unique manipulation of paint and tonal harmony, Blakelock destabilizes conventional landscape painting and invites us to consider the subjective experience of nature.