Threatening Skies

Another in my series of sky studies in 

pastel on toned paper.

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!!

From the sketchbook

We finally had a good weather week

 for getting out, 

exercising humans and dogs 

and doing some sketching.

 

More Skies

After a couple of quick pastel sketches 

of a rather moody day at Presquile P.P.

I decided to look at one of the masters of sky painting 

 Edward Seago.

 

 These  2 pastels are done on smooth grey pastel paper.

 I like the ability to easily create a soft blending of colours.

I also like to see the base colour showing through, 

a detail not evident in the photos.

Exploring Skies in Pastel

One of the best places to study skies 

(in my heavily wooded environment) 

means going to the lakeshore.

Last summer I took many photos 

of these skies 

in a variety of climate conditions.

Warm spring weather has yet to arrive 
so the spectacular sunsets 
have a special appeal for study!

  

After doing a few watercolour sketches 

I combined the brilliance of the second photo

 with the sweeping clouds of the first.

The actual composition was found

 by zooming in and then cropping the first photo.

Do feel the warmth?

Spring run off

At last... a sign of spring!

Spring Runoff  - Pastel

 

Lots of limestone out croppings on my favourite walking trail 

 force the spring melt through openings in the rocky face.

Spring Nostalgia

While doing a little pre-spring cleanup in the studio

 I came across an archive of my old work - watercolours.

This narcissus peaking through a snow storm 

could have been painted this year.

We'll have to wait a bit longer for the fosythia to bloom!

I have a 2-3 foot rock wall in my garden 

which is still completely buried in snow and ice!