SOLD TM8484 In All the Shapes and Shadows 36×44 oil on panel

The complex reflections of a lightly clouded blue sky and surrounding woods, along with the shadows cast by the closest trees onto the surface of the pond, are the subject of In All the Shapes and Shadows, a new painting from my favorite pond.

The setting was an afternoon ramble around the pond. The weather was a brilliant blue sky with sun breaking from behind a cumulus cloud. Crouching low to capture an extreme perspective while balancing on an upturned tree root, I found this glorious view and knew I had to try to capture the dancing light in a painting. I liked the interplay of sky, tree reflections, shadows, and of course the orange vegetation (from last year) floating on the slight current. Nature sets up such abstract patterns for us to contemplate and enjoy. Details below.

TM8484 In All the Shapes and Shadows – detail from upper left with reflected trees, sky and clouds

TM8484 In All the Shapes and Shadows – detail from center bottom with shadow from close tree trunk and branches, floating grasses

Technical painting note: I’ve found a soft watercolor wash brush (white nylon hairs) extremely useful for layering wet glazes and blending soft edges. The ones with a chiseled edge are useful for dragging lines into the glaze. Silicone shapers with a point or chiseled edge are great for “drawing” into wet paint.