Winter Sketches, 9 x 12, oil on panel

The bright sunshine is chasing away our snow! Frosty will be a mud puddle later today. I have to admit the return to nicer weather will be a welcome change. But already I'm missing the snow. The top sketch was done this morning as the sun melted some nice patches. I find snow so interesting to paint. For one thing the land masses become the lightest area, when usually it is the sky that is the lightest value.  I also enjoy seeing the subtle changes of color temperature that occur within the light and shadow families.