Alone but Not Lonely

While painting en plein air at Weir Dam with a student it began to rain and we took shelter under a canopy. Out in the middle of the river was a beautiful white-faced heron standing on a log in the drizzling rain. The light, the contrast and reflection illuminated the most spectacular glow of grey and lavender so I started filming it with my camera. He posed for several minutes as I got progressively closer and then he flew away. I captured that too! It was like watching a ballet on water! The landscape in the background was so dreamy and soft behind that bird, I felt it complimented the colors of lavender and ochre and raw umber! My student was amazed that I didn't mind getting soaked! I just had to recreate this moment and I am sure there will be another one painted and a series pending.
Though I had to paint this rendering in the studio, I was able to remember the tonal and atmospheric qualities of that day. I can still remember it though the video footage was quite helpful!

I started with Vasari Raw Umber, Ultramarine Blue and Dioxizine Purple mixture for an underpainting and used 50/50 Linseed/Gamsol mixture prior to subsequent passes of color to achieve the tonal mood and the atmospheric depth in this piece.