Snow Day

Snow Day 2019

Patiently waiting for spring

but winter has one last gasp!

Shoreline Studies 2018

Two new pastel studies, 

revisiting the shoreline.

On a warm and sunny, spring day

it's immensely satisfying

 to stand ankle deep in water and

study the rocks and wave action.

Shoreline Study - 2018 - Leslie Snider

Shoreline Study - 2018 - Leslie Snider

Shoreline Study - 2018 - Leslie Snider

Shoreline Study - 2018 - Leslie Snider

Both examples on simple, toned drawing papers, 

the first "Toned Tan" and the second "Toned Gray"

(Strathmore brand)

 Richeson (brand) pastels.

Relaxing Summer Days

For many years 

canoeing 

was my favourite way to observe

flora and fauna.

Alas, I've reached the stage in life

where extracting myself from a canoe 

can be a challenge!

So boats with motors and comfy seats

 are the new way to go!

Here is my first observation.....

In the Wake - Pastel - Leslie Snider

Although I miss the intimacy 

of quietly observed

bays and streams,

I'm hoping this new experience 

will bring new possibilities.

Rain Shower

Bonnechere 2015 - Leslie Snider

 

 

From the moment I took this photo 

I thought the subject 

would translate well into pastel.

Pastel - Rain shower - Leslie Snider

I didn't make major changes to the composition

 but did crop the height of the trees 

and simplified their  textures.

I increased the depth 

of the quiet reflecting water

but retained the subtle balance 

between coolness of the greens 

(trees and their reflection) 

and warmth of the browns

(trunks, ground, reflections.)

 

A Quiet Bay in Bonnechere Provincial Park

More Summer Textures

These wild flowers  

 Queen Anne's lace and day lilies 

seemed a perfect opportunity 

to explore colour contrast 

and airy textures.

 

Crayon on Artagain black paper 

Below some of my source material.

 

 

Shoreline - After the storm

My calm waters post 

 was based on some shoreline photos 

taken on a calm, sunny day,

These photos were taken 

at the same location 

but as a storm moved out.

Although the sun is beginning to appear 

low lying, moody clouds hung over the water.

The turbulence caused by some strong winds

 muddied the water and deepened the tones.

After the Storm - pastel

Where do ideas start? - part 03

The last example

in my series

studying wave action 

on a favourite beach.