Mini color study, “Just Passing Through”, 3×4 oil on paper

I was driving home one evening and noticed strong low-sun light making these trees and grasses glow with warm colors. And the effect was heightened by some clouds that were passing through, but didn’t drop any rain on us. I love the contrast between the warm light and cool clouds.

Before mixing up my colors, I blocked in the trees and grasses with a combination of transparent earth red and alizarin permanent, following my value thumbnail. I like how this warm underpainting color helped harmonize everything.

Photo reference taken by some roadside grasses and trees with evening light and a hint of dark clouds

Value thumbnail of simple shapes

Black and white value check of my color study