The view from Silver Creek

The colours from my recent trip to Idaho’s Silver Creek Preserve are still in my mind, which is why I decided to paint a half-sheet studio watercolour sooner rather than later. I’m happy I did some quick sketches on site, which served as a colour guide when I painted this larger work.

When I work on larger paintings in my studio using my own reference photos, I often spend a long time selecting an image that fits with the season I am in. In winter I have a hard time painting summer scenes with lots of green in them, and the same is true in summer. It just seems odd to paint snow. That’s why I figured the best time to paint this one would be right now, when I can still envision the deep blue shade of the water and the slash of bright green field that cut across the arid yellow plain.


23 Comments on “The view from Silver Creek”

  1. karim waked says:

    Stunning!

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  2. To me, what is spectacular about this painting is the bold passage from a pale heavenly sky to the deep rich flora that gets it food from the river, it really moved me!

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  3. Judy Sopher says:

    This is just gorgeous. The blues of the water keeps drawing me in. You are really a master of water. What colors did you use on the water here?

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  4. zuzala says:

    Love this one. Looks so lush.

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  5. Jean says:

    I feel as if I am standing on a hill overlooking this magnificent view!

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  6. Bernadette says:

    It is the work of a master watercolorist, absolutely beautiful.

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  7. Frank Bettendorf says:

    Great example of what landscape painting can be! Your image conveys a feeling of the place as well as utilizing contrasts to capture your sense of the area. Values carry the image once again. Well done! Thanks for posting. Frank B

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  8. J. Penner says:

    This is incredibly well done. Amazing work!

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  9. Laurie Murray says:

    That is so gorgeous and representative of Idaho’s river valleys and mountains!

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  10. Kirk Whiteside says:

    Beautiful sketch. Kobe the reflections in the water.

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  11. CandyH2O says:

    I really like the reflections on the water. Nicely done.

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  12. Masterful light. The silver water is wonderful.

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  13. Good Morning dear friend Shari,
    I love that water and reflection, amazing and so natural.
    Thanks for sharing a beautiful image.
    Regards and blessings.
    Uma

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  14. Good Morning dear friend Shari,
    I love that water and reflection.
    Thanks for sharing a very beautiful image.
    Regards and blessings.
    Uma

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  15. Good Morning dear friend Shari,
    I love that water and reflection.
    Thanks for sharing a very beautiful image.
    Regards and blessings.
    Uma

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  16. TCWriter says:

    I’ve fished Silver Creek and spent a fair amount of time nearby in Sun Valley; the magic hour light is gorgeous stuff. Someday maybe I’ll make skies look that easy and natural. Great work!

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  17. Jean Mackay says:

    There is so much to like about this painting, but that blue steals the show!

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