"Horsetail, Cedar Run Trail"

On the first full day of painting during my Highlands Nature Sanctuary artist residency, three artists went down the Cedar Run Trail to get close to water without doing a lot of elevation. There was no poison ivy on this trail, anywhere. However, there was a forest floor filled with scouring rush, commonly called rough horsetail. My sister loved this plant, and I do, too. So, after having several looks around the area, I decided to try my hand at this deep woods seen.

The photo is a bit darker than the painting, but try as I may, it is the best I could do. The darkest values are the horsetail plant itself. I chose this particular view because of the fallen mossy logs that served as lines to get you into the painting. Still, I have to confess, I am a sucker for moss! Painting in the woods is difficult because the light is constantly shifting and patterns are light and shadow are always in flux.