New Painting - River Edge

Michelle Wiebe River Edge 10" x 10" Acrylic on Canvas 2017

Winter has really settled in and a few days ago I found myself looking through my reference file for my next painting subject. All the pictures of crisp late summer mountain forests were calling to me. There is something magical about the greenish mountain waters - they seem somehow more ancient than the same river miles away on the flatland. 

I took this picture a few months back up in Canmore, on the path that flanks the Bow River. This was a fun family day because we took our kids and our dog, Ivy, on this path. The dog was entertaining to watch as she crashed around the bushes trying to find the resident elk that were grazing nearby. 

I am still enjoying this limited palette. I did use phthalo blue again, but I've learned to accept my rule bending. I have really been challenged in a good way to really pay attention to the values in each piece. I'm continually struck by the harmony this small choice of colours brings - not only to each piece but to the whole series.