Forest Tranquility

Our painting instructor asks some of us to be props for her interview by CHCH TV last Wednesday morning.  We were at Dundas valley Conservation Area and because of the heat , found beauty and coolness in the shade of the forest.  Had to get this painting going very quickly and didn't finish on site and still need to put some more  work into the front of the painting.

Pine Floor Board With Barns

Tuesday evening was hot and muggy  so I sat in the shade of some old farm equipment and japanese elm and used this old floor board from my son's century home to paint this wideangle scene of the series of barns at Andy's farm. The knothole in the board had a piece of concrete in it when I got it-to keep out the cold from the basement. You can see the shadows are lengthening and the willows were being tossed about by the wind.

Willows and sunset

My impression of the setting sun as it glowed through the willows and turned the horizon a yellow-green.

Andy's small Barns

The shadows had really lengthened as the evening progressed and the wind had picked up.  The willows and grasses were swaying and the temperature dropped so that sweater was indeed necessary.  Who would have thought after the heat of the day. 

Small sketch of barns

Last week Tuesday evening's painting session was lovely and the evening was lovelier yet!  First thing after setting up and choosing a location(so much to choose from) I painted this very small sketch. 

Birches in Flamborough Hedgerow

I had this long narrow canvas that seemed to be suited to something tall so tried this birch painting. Believe it or not, it was still hard to get them all in.

Birches on the 10th Concession

Took the opportunity last week to paint birches.  This was my first effort.  Find them very frustrating because there are so many marks on them but also many shadows.  What to leave out?