Deukmajian Wilderness Trail Study Painting

I'm interested in phenomena that affect the look of the landscape, whether it is the light effects caused by the reflective particles thrown into the air by a volcano, or the strange twilight caused by a storm suddenly and dramatically changing the angle of the sun’s rays and for a moment, relighting the landscape. On this day it was a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds. This small alla-prima study is painted directly in a single session, on a 1/4 inch plein air panel. I use linen canvas for it's stronger, longer fibers that provide a superior surface for paint. Linen also requires less water and far fewer pesticides to produce, making linen an environmentally friendly choice.