Bob Palmerton 

Compositions can be enhanced through a variety of techniques. I like to think abut composition from two perspectives: first, the placement of objects (trees, barns, rocks, people) in the painting, and, secondly, the balance (or more appropriately the imbalance) of value masses. Here's an example. The image below is "Cross Country Craving" in its earlier stages. Note the "sameness" in the snowscape on both sides of the ski tracks, especially the horizontal rows of brush and

Rolling Hills County Park in Ypsilanti, Michigan maintains 3 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails. I've enjoyed skiing and gaining inspiration for paintings in this peaceful winter setting. Last weekend I skied at Rolling Hills and captured this photo. I must have appeared rather goofy skiing along with a 35mm Canon Digital SLR camera hanging from my neck. Here is the reference photo. Note how the brights of the snow are washed out (I did not have an opportunity to

Snow has finally arrived in Southeast Michigan (and most of the northern US)! This painting was inspired by a cross-country skiing venture to Rolling Hills Park in Ypsilanti, Michigan. These blindingly-bright winter, snow-laden days create havoc with your pupils. But the fresh air is marvelous! #Michigan #crosscountryskiing

The final version of Ski Tracks. Additional work on the shadows and scattered leaves in the snow capped off an enjoyable journey from underpainting to finishing touches! Now on to my summer's art! Due to the woeful lack of cross-country skiing opportunities this past winter in Southeast Michigan, I decided to compensate for my loss by spending quality painting time building details in my large format painting inspired by my sole cross-country adventure this winter at Rollin