TM8346 Young Tree Embracing Its New Greens 22×22 oil on panel

A new locale! Driving home via an alternate route last week, I found a lovely pocket park in Newton Upper Falls, nestled along the Charles River off Route 9. A few visits, and I present the results. May greens are announcing their appearance, even though they are flanked by last year’s leaves and dried grasses.  This little tree, with its toes in the Charles River, looked both proud and demure. I had to paint its portrait. One difference between this locale and mu usual pond sites is the geology. At Upper Falls, the ledge isn’t massive, integrated granite, but rather a conglomerate rock made up of rubble compressed – love those glaciers! Enjoy.

Technical painting notes – Unlike the April pond paintings, with the arrival of warmer temperatures (barely!) I decided to start with a warm sienna violet base color rolled onto the panel, with additional spots of warm gray and olive green. Spritzing blotting, dabbing provided textures. When the base was dry, I developed the details with thinned oils and alkyd glazes.

TM8346 Young Tree Embracing Its New Greens (detail of tree)

TM8346 Young Tree Embracing Its new Greens (detail of dried grasses and water)