Last Summer

Presquile PP -  Pastel  - Leslie Snider

Presquile Provincial Park

 in southeastern Ontario 

offers a variety of habitats

 both seaside and forested.

Flat and spacious 

it's a walkers' or cyclists' paradise.

This is just one of the many vistas 

and laneways 

I'm so very fond of! 

Presquile PP -  Photo  - Leslie Snider

 

Pastel Sketch from the Spring Trip

This year the deciduous leaves 

were just coming out 

and shimmered with chartreuse and gold

against the dark bluegreens

 of the evergreens.

Sunlit Marsh

The first snow fall of the season 

has given a powdery dusting

 to the view from my studio window 

so the warmth of autumn 

is a tempting distraction.

This small pastel 

was based on some photos 

I took last fall 

of an impending storm.

Although ominous clouds 

threaten in the distance ahead,

strong sunlight from behind me

 highlighted the golden grasses 

spreading out across 

the windswept foreground.

If you look closely you will see these grasses 

are phragmites, an invasive species 

taking over Ontario marshlands.

In my sketch they have become cattails, 

a similar but less innocuous plant.

Summer Days

This photo was taken on a  Presquile Provincial Park walk.

 Behind the viewer is a pretty meadow, 

low lying often with standing water and young trees,

a favourite of wildlife, sometimes deer... often plentiful birdlife.

In front of the viewer is a canopy of trees 

leading to a cool area of old growth forest, 

a welcome respite on a hot summer day.

In my interpretation 

the spindly trees of the foreground 

have become more substantial and lush.

This allowed me to create soft foreground masses

that act as a contrast 

to the dark but inviting entrance 

into the woods.

Leslie1460@gmail.com

Jobes Woods Pastel

One of the spring sketches translated into pastel.

I think this is more successful than my last pastel, 
looser and better use of colour.
I used a smooth, toned, sketch paper.

Previous examples have been 
on various textured pastel papers 
which I find difficult.
I'm always fighting the textured surface....
which can be a distraction.

Experience must count for something 
so I shall persevere!!