Forest Abstract with Violet and Blue
Drawing on paper, likely mounted on a rigid support for plein air work • Contemporary artist; likely a regional or emerging professional specialized in modernist landscape
Style & Movement
Abstract Expressionism / Modernist Plein Air. The work emphasizes energy, color theory, and gestural movement over literal representation.
Medium & Technique
Soft pastels and charcoal. Techniques include hatching, layered pigment application, and bold linear gestural strokes in black used to define form against colored grounds.
Creation Period
Contemporary (circa 21st century), created en plein air
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 16 inches or 14 x 18 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
An abstract interpretation of the surrounding woodland. It features recurring vertical and diagonal motifs representing trees and branches, using a palette of cerulean blue, violet, and pale yellow to suggest light filtering through a canopy.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (In-progress). As the work is currently on the easel, it is in its original state but lacks fixative or a protective frame.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $1,200 (based on contemporary regional artist market for pastel works of this scale)
Auction Estimate
$200 - $500
Provenance History
Currently in the possession of the artist; studio/field inventory
Art Historical Significance
Represents the continuation of the plein air tradition merged with 20th-century abstraction. It highlights the tactile relationship between the artist, the medium (pastel), and the immediate natural environment.
Notable Features
Highly energetic black charcoal 'skeletal' lines that structure the composition; visible color relationship between the vibrant pigments on the paper and the actual pastel sticks seen in the palette tray below.
Condition Issues
Smudging hazard due to the nature of unfixed pastel; edge compression from binder clips used to secure the paper to the drawing board.
Conservation Recommendations
Application of a high-quality archival fixative; mounting using acid-free materials; framing under UV-protective glass with a spacer or mat to prevent pastel contact with the glass.