The Red Boat

I wondered if I could put a single bright red object in a predominantly green painting.  In order for it to work, the values - light and dark areas- had to be strong enough to compete with the greens and red.  If not, the viewer would not be able to take his eye away from the contrasting red of the boat.  This scene is entirely imaginary; it is a synthesis of all the marshes I've painted and observed over the years.  I added the cinder block to give visual interest to the foreground and to indicate the increasing depth of the water.  It also adds a bit realism and grit to this otherwise pastoral scene.