This photo is the inspiration for the small oil painting called "hilton head marsh #3"

Here's the 12 inch x 12 inch canvas with just the drawing on it before I begin to paint.

The first thing I worked on was the sky. I made it brighter than what's shown in my photo. Just because I can. 🙂

I use the lightest shade of pale blue sky that's at the horizon to also paint the water.

Next I started to paint the trees that are on the horizon. Since they are far away, I use more blues than greens to give the feeling of distance.

After I get the trees done, I do the grasses directly in front of them. Then the trees in the middle area, then some shadows for the grassy areas.

Now the fun begins. I love painting the neon grasses! I'm making these brighter than my photo too. Then I add some orangey-red areas. I do this to add some punch to the painting because it will contrast nicely with all the greens and blues.

Then I start the grasses in the foreground... this is the tricky part. I'll alternate between painting the mud and the grasses. I pretty much use the same paints for both areas, but in different amounts.

I think that's it! MUCH more interesting than my photo. But I think it still captures the peaceful serenity of the marshes.