Salt Marsh, Essex, 5×7″, oil on panel.

Thought I would get back to painting some landscapes today. This is a lovely area of salt water marsh at the Essex River delta. The fields of wild reeds and grass are still brown and flattened.

Essex Watertower, 5×7″, oil on panel.

Today I tried to capture some of that dewy fresh morning feel in the landscape.

This afternoon, I will be working on a larger piece and trying some new approaches as well as trying to get a really satisfyingly finished piece. I need scintillation in the colors and some depth to the paint, and plein air alla prima painting doesn’t allow much of that, at least not at the size I’m painting at.

Tonight I’m going to check out a portrait paint sketch session at the Rockport Art Association. Should be a good time. Let’s hope they have an interesting face for us.