I’ve been immersed in summer landscapes this year and decided I wanted to try a change of season and a new color palette.

Back to my favorite park in the very beginning of winter, I used an image I had of Mason Neck Virginia State Park just south of Mt. Vernon.

The color is layered on a cool deep blue palette, and built up to golden and blush reeds gathered around the gray-violet trees. Soft, soothing color. I think the old tree trunk on the left hand side was one of my favorite areas to work on.

Water is always a challenge and this scene was as complicated as it gets. I went back and forth, layering translucent color until it fit the mood.

But finally after struggling with it for two months I got the feeling of calm hibernation I wanted. The final details on trees and reflections…

Wetlands;Winter Nap, 30 x 40″, oil