Dry fields of summer

June is the time for cutting the hay in the Maremma region of Tuscany.  The fields change color after being cut, appearing  quite dry a few days later.  I was attracted to this view from an overlook near our place - by the contrast of the dark green Oak tree branch against the hazy light colors of the background fields and mountains.  Below is a photo of the location.

Summer heating up

I was thinking, can I get an interesting composition with just a branch sticking in the side of the painting?  With a bit of simplifying I came up with the small painting below.  I tried to put down the values as I saw them late in the afternoon.  The super dark branch worked out, and I remembered to leave some bright underpainting spots to add sparkle.  Some days later the hay baling tractor arrived -  and I have been busy ever since.  There are round hay bales everywhere,  too many to paint and also little biting gnats...

Campi di Giugno  oil/panel 8x10in  -  Available at the Stage Door Gallery