I’m working on several canvases today, and also taking time to analyze what’s worked best in the past. At left: This is a photo of a plein air oil painting showing a pond in Nashua, New Hampshire, on a sunny autumn afternoon.

It wasn’t planned, but I balanced light and dark, and I also united tones so that the painting works. This is one of my favorite paintings, and I’ve turned down offers to buy it.

I’m getting a better sense of the equal importance of color and tone in my work. I’m also seeing where I need to improve. This is good!