Image of the Week: Trees at Dusk

© D. Yael Bernhard

Here is my first painting of 2020 – oil on canvas, just 16"x12".  No matter how small, I always try to do a painting on the first day of the year.  It's my way of setting a good precedent. 

This year, the darkness of winter inspired me to work in tones.  The view is from my window, looking south as dusk began to fall.  I almost did the whole thing in black and grey, but decided in the end to add a touch of color to the clouds.

I love the way these trees stand out like black lace against the sky.  Every day at dusk, a small flock of doves descends to roost.  Even in heavy snow, the birds find shelter in the thick branches of these conifers.  

Painting in shades of black and grey is very gratifying.  The simplicity is a relief.  It's an exercise in contrast and shapes – in this case, silhouettes.  The tips of the hemlock – second tree from the right – are more feathery than the finger-like protrusions of spruce.  And the clouds . . . all my life I've struggled to depict them in a natural way.  I can always use more practice painting clouds.  

I'm grateful for the serenity of these trees, year after year, outside my window.