Estuary Summer

Pastel, 14x18 on Wallis

The clouds have passed again today without rain, but there is a possibility the clouds on the horizon could build and come in later.  The summer has stretched into a succession of long, hot days taking some of the green freshness from the marsh grasses.  As the sun lowers in the west and the shadows lengthen, the slanting sunlight brings out the bronze and reds hidden in the grass and sets the marsh ablaze with contrasts of colors and values.
As a design decision,I added the egret in order to create an object of interest to capture the passing viewer's eye, draw them into the painting, and hold their attention while their peripheral vision takes in the rest of the painting.
To purchase this painting, click here - Estuary Summer.