Still here!!

I've been away from the art studio 

for a couple of months

travelling and ....well .....

generally enjoying myself!

Although I haven't taken the time

 to do much sketching

 I has been taking lots and lots

 of photos 

which should prove to be very useful 

during the cold winter months.

In the meantime 

here a few examples 

that don't need any artistic intervention....

the photo says it all! 

 

Sheffield Conservation Area

This 9" by 12" pastel 

was created in August 

from sketches / photos

taken at the Sheffield Conservation Area.

(just north of Napanee)

An interesting habitat

featuring granite outcroppings and picturesque views.

This smaller pastel was done earlier in the year 

and features the water view as you peak through the trees from the trail.

For more info follow the link below.

http://ontarioconservationareas.ca/component/mtree/conservation-authorities-of-ontario/quinte/sheffield-conservation-area

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

Bonnechere sketchbook

After working with pastels 

for several weeks 

I felt the need for a change 

and pulled out 

my watercolours.

The photo was taken last summer in Bonnechere Provincial Park.

 I had tackled this subject in pastel 

but  hadn't been able to capture 

the interesting contrasts between the reddish tree,

the yellow green grasses on the left 

and the dark reflection on the far right.

This is my quick sketch

 trying to capture the contrasts 

as well as the light bouncing of the surfaces.

Some of that energy appears to be lost 

 but that is deceiving

 as the photo of the finished watercolour

doesn't reflect

some of the more subtle

 play of colour 

seen in the original.

Wild life - The One That Got Away

If you have followed this blog 

you know how much I rely on my camera. 

Photos don't replace working out doors 

but are an invaluable resource 

 complementing outdoor sketches, 

painting and notes.

The previous examples 
are from my collection 
when I happened to be at the right time 
and place ........

to capture that fleeting moment 

that passes so quickly.

I'm not always so lucky ...

This pastel celebrates the moment
 after focusing, composing, steadying the camera
you discover the subject has fled the scene!

Printable Bookmarks

Just for fun! 

From one of my watercolour designs

Instructions

 Print page one - Flip and print page two - 

Trim and use in your favourite reading material!

Light in the Undergrowth - pastel

Light in the undergrowth

This pastel was inspired by a series of photos 

I'd taken of light 

filtered through the spring woods

onto the forest floor.