Black Lake 2019-01 - Leslie Snider

 This scene is based on sketches

 from a recent trip to the lake.
(see more sketches earlier in June)

The sun, trying to escape the clouds,
created a powerful highlight on the lake. 

Black Lake Sketch - Leslie Snider

 

Spring Walk

Spring Walk - Leslie Snider

This  pastel has been on the easel for awhile.

I was interested in capturing those first rampant spring greens.

 I struggled with trying to keep it loose and impressionistic 

but not losing the focal point completely!

Scenes from the Lake - June 2019

A busy week at the lake

 but time for a few photos

 and sketches! 

Surfaces 01 - pastel sketch

In the first study 

I'm looking at how light

 is reflected on the water

on a calm day.

Surfaces 02 - pastel sketch

Here  a slight breeze

breaks up the reflections.

and just for fun....

 

Beach Studies

Every year in early May 

we spend a week at Lake Ontario.

It gives me an opportunity to study and sketch 

the ever changing water, waves, and skies

 

Two studies of this mesmerizing shoreline.

This first a pastel pencil 

on a calm and sunny day.

Wave Study 01 - Leslie Snider

The second is a full blown soft pastel work.

Here ominous clouds have covered the sky 

creating richer colour 

and some energetic waves. 

Wave Study 02 - Leslie Snider

Wave Study 02 - Leslie Snider

Finally a a view of my three travelling companions

and (in the distance) 

my home away from home! 

 

Spring Scenes

A trio of studies

in pastel

recording the emerging changes 

of colour and light this spring.

Spring Fog 2019 - Leslie Snider

Spring Greens 2019 - Leslie Snider

Trillium Ridge 2019 - Leslie Snider

Drifting Clouds

I'm not yet inspired 

by the muted colours 

of a slow to arrive spring

so....

I'm reaching into my photos

from last summer. 

Drifting Clouds - Leslie Snider

In this piece

 I was working with a relatively

 small palette of colours,

but was interested

 in the textural differences

between the airy summer clouds 

and the shimmering quality of the water.

As time passes 

I see I'm strongly attracted 

to compositions with 

strong horizontals 

and fairly shallow depth.

I think that is the influence

 of Tom Thomson,

an artist I admire. 

 

 

New Materials

Receiving a new online order

 is like getting a Christmas present.

I was happy to find a new source

 of a favourite sketching paper.

It's not fancy, very similar to brown paper bags.

It has the perfect grab for pastel and pastel pencil.

I also expanded my collection of pastel pencils.

A colourful subject was in order.....

based on one of my autumn photos.

Autumn Lane 2019 Leslie Snider