Spring Birches in Pastel

One idea often leads to another.

 My recent post of the back lit cedar grove

was an experiment in dark against light.

 This grove of young trees in early spring
was an opportunity to concentrate on light against dark.

Here the soft light filtering through the trees emphasizes 

the shadowing growth under and behind the light coloured
 birches.

This was the photo source. 

I liked the interesting patterns
 of delicate trunks and spring greens.

In the photo below 

I've high-lighted the patterns I wanted to use.

The vertical tree trunks create a gentle rhythm 

across the page

and that is echoed 

by the line of dark shadows.

Patterns in nature

I'm less interested in a literal rendering of the scene

but am attempting to capture a certain quality.

The photo of my pastel slightly distorts the colors, 

the overall effect less harsh in the red/ green contrast.