Friday, June 22, 2018

Sunrise ....What to paint..???

Sharbot Lake Sunrise - Leslie Snider
Sharbot Lake Sunrise - Leslie Snider
Sharbot Lake Sunrise - Leslie Snider
Sharbot Lake Sunrise - Leslie Snider
Sharbot Lake Sunrise - Leslie Snider
I love to get up early enough to catch the rising sun.
Here is a selection of photos from our recent Sharbot Lake adventure....
but which to paint????

Monday, May 28, 2018

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.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Spring Flowers

It's been a while, I know,
 I have been busy sketching,
 taking photos,camping, 
planting the garden, etc. etc.

Here's a couple of examples
 of recent projects.

Leslie Snider - sketch  - Hepatica 

Ontario wildflowers peak out 
from under the decayed debris of winter,
their delicate shapes and vibrant colours 
contrasting with the rustic environment.

For plein air sketches in pastel
I like a smooth, toned paper.

But for these watercolour sketches
I used  stark, white paper
to emphasize the vibrancy
of the red trilliums 
and fiddlehead ferns.
 
Leslie Snider - Red Trillium
Leslie Snider -  Fiddlehead Ferns
 
Leslie Snider - pastel sketch

 

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Surprising Art Materials

Two new studies 
give me the opportunity 
to discuss materials.

Simplicity - pastel - Leslie Snider

In this first example I used automotive sand paper
along with my usual array of pastels,
the workhorses semi-hard
 (Nupastel and Rembrandt)
as well as soft pastels 
(Richeson, Sennelier, Schminke).





The auto sandpaper is inexpensive 
and works in a very similar manner
to the more expensive art sandpapers,
 it holds the soft pastel,
 allows for layering.
It is without the annoyance 
of the machine textured surface 
of some art papers. 

It's waterproof and durable,
great for sketching
Some might be concerned about longevity.
(I'm not!) 

Complexity - pastel - Leslie Snider
In this second example 
I used Richeson sanded paper 
(shale colour).
It is a pleasure to work with 
and has a few advantages,
larger size,
the ability to accept many layers.

It is difficult to see here 
but the second example
has a wider ranger
 of texture and detail.

Both papers have their uses 
and both are favourites.
I use other papers,
have and will discuss them
when relevant.

Finally a word about pastel storage.
As much as I admire 
those posh pochade boxes
I couldn't possibly be that organized!

But impressive isn't it!


Here's how I really work!
 Sushi trays stacked one on top of the other. 
They are cheap, disposable and easy to keep clean.
I have my favourite greens, blues, etc. 
on top as am too impatient 
to be constantly checking 
out the whole box.
If I need a variation 
I check the next layer down.

The colours I used for these pastels is on top.

Sushi Tray Storage

Hope this has been helpful
 or at least an interesting divergence!

Thursday, April 5, 2018

When you become
 a landscape (plein air) painter 
the weather becomes
 an essential component
 in your work.....
and this year's late spring
 is playing havoc
with my outdoor plans.

This study based on a field photo....
early morning and fog had descended, 
so I quickly grabbed the camera and off I went.

The subject matter is not glamorous
but the light effects were interesting.

Here the moisture laden air 
adds blue notes to the foliage
 and softens edges.


Foggy Field - pastel -  Leslie Snider

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Summer Scenes

Two studies looking at the effects  light
on the landscape.

This first is the beginning of day.

The foreground in shadow 
and the focal point
is the sun-kissed treeline 
in the background. 

Field in Shadow - Leslie Snider

This second pastel is midday.
Overcast 
and the humid air 
softening colours and edges.


Bonnechere 2018 - Leslie Snider

Similar colour schemes but used to 
different effect.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Calm Before the Storm

The weather still isn't cooperating for outside work....
and another snow storm in the forecast....
so I'm working from my photos.

This quiet study is from a wet spring
we spent at Presquile Provincial Park.
Up early in the moisture laden air..
colour was muted and the air still.

Path to the Beach - Leslie Snider

And across the field
 I captured this group
 on their morning stroll.

Morning Stroll
 

Marsh Scenes