A Slice of Autumn in SoCal

We are so fortunate to have a variety of deciduous trees in southern California. I saw this splendid tree that was still holding on to its autumn leaves right beside other trees that had lost all their color. I had to pull over and snap a few photographs so I could re-render the vision in pastel. The painting began with a pastel and alcohol underpainting. It was a cool overcast day, and I felt the cool purple in the shadows of the painting reflected the overall mood of the day.