The Heat is On!

Edge of the Marsh - pastel

The peak of summer is here.

Growth is lush from lots of rain 

and heat warnings are slowing my pace!

Loon at Dusk

 

The Trail at Dusk

Turning failure into success!

Backlight Marsh - Leslie Snider

This latest pastel sketch

was inspired by a photo 

that didn't go to plan!

Walking along the marsh boardwalk

I spotted a lovely scene of light

 filtering through a stand of cedars.

I was disappointed the camera 

didn't capture what I saw with my eyes.

But on reflection 

I could begin to see colour

in all those dark shadows.

This new scene 

gave me an opportunity

 to break away from my obsession

 with the greens of summer!

Summer Green!

Early Summer - Leslie Snider

The simplicity of this grove of trees

 with the many variations 

of maturing foliage 

caught my imagination.

 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!