Relaxing Summer Days

For many years 

canoeing 

was my favourite way to observe

flora and fauna.

Alas, I've reached the stage in life

where extracting myself from a canoe 

can be a challenge!

So boats with motors and comfy seats

 are the new way to go!

Here is my first observation.....

In the Wake - Pastel - Leslie Snider

Although I miss the intimacy 

of quietly observed

bays and streams,

I'm hoping this new experience 

will bring new possibilities.

Revisiting the Gaspe

Sparkling Sunset - 2018  - Leslie Snider

In 2016

 I posted a pastel 

from a trip to the Gaspe.

The colours and shapes 

have haunted me ever since. 

Gaspe Sunset - 2016 - Leslie Snider

Above is a variation 

on the theme of rocks,

 water and light.

The joy of playing with

colour and light

 is very tempting

Gaspe - Leslie Snider Photography

.....

but perhaps the photo says it all! 

Look up...way up....skies

A new year and some new ideas.

Most landscapes feature the sky 

so it's important to have an understanding

 of how light conditions,

weather and time of day 

affect the colour and textures.

I've spent the last couple of weeks 

trolling my photos 

 choosing a variety 

to study.

Sunsets are the glamorous cousin

 in this little family of ideas.

This is Rossport Prov. Park 

the photo taken on

 a trip to northern Ontario.

It was an unseasonably warm autumn 

and the sunsets had a soft warmth. 

Rossport Prov. Park - Leslie Snider

The second closer to home

 ...a glorious summer day,

bold puffy clouds dominate the sky,

contrasting with the rich colour of sky and field.

Kingston Summer Sky - Leslie Snider

Finally, 

here and now,

early morning in winter, 

fog is in the air

creating a strange light 

and drifting, illusive clouds.

 

Winter Sky - Leslie Snider

 

Trunks and Leaves

Although tree trunks 

figure prominently

 in this pastel

 the subject was actually

 "leaves".

Here at the beginning of autumn,

the foliage is dense and lively.

But hints of the impending 

seasonal changes 

are peaking out here and there. 

Movement throughout 

is carried by the vivid greens. 

Forest Interior - Leslie Snider

Before and After

Beginning

Colour and Light - Leslie Snider

Colour and Light - Leslie Snider

Here a beginning and the final stage

 plus a variation.

I rather like the beginning of my first marsh scene

 and wish I'd left it at that fresh stage!

My variation has a boldness

that was lost in my earlier example.

Marsh Variation

I'm constantly fascinated by marshes.

The combination of water, sky, vegetation and wildlife 

under various light and seasonal conditions

makes for constant surprises.

This example shows the effect of rain, 

cooling down the colours of the foliage.

The only hint of warmth 

is the pink of the sunrise 

reflecting in the water.

Marsh Variation - Leslie Snider

Here is an example from earlier this year,

also early morning, overcast and moody

 but with out the effect of rain.

Marsh Variation - Leslie Snider

 

Contrasting Views

Can't stay away from autumn scenes,

the opportunity to work

 with warmer colour schemes

is too tempting!

Contrasting views:

The first looking along a farmer's field,

early morning mist in the distance,

 the last of autumn colour clinging to the trees. 

Autumn 2017 - Leslie Snider

This second is deeper into the wooded trail

(known as the K&P Trail for Kingstonians).

The leaves carpeting the ground,

 highlighted by shafts of light

coming through the density of trees. 

Fallen Leaves - Leslie Snider

Both sketches in pastel.