Tree Study

Repose
oil on panel, 7x5

Painting on a cloudy day is usually a challenge.  The sun was shining when I started my plein air session in the morning.  I finished one small painting of a tree by the water, and then I turned and saw another view that I liked.  After I started "Repose" the clouds were coming in.  There was still enough light to have some soft shadows on the tree and the ground, and some reflections in the water.  The range of colors was limited, but I had some contrast to work with.  I like painting a fairly strong contrast between the darkest dark and the lightest light.  I named it "Repose" because it was a very quiet, peaceful afternoon.