Another Landscape Takes Shape

I decided to use a fresh canvas for this painting, mainly because I actually had one.  I was sick last week and spent several evenings stretching and priming canvases. Feels like a waste of time but it is nice to work on a white surface now and then.  This time I decided to work from a late-summer pastel as I just can't face up to still lifes yet. They feel so wintery. Following is the progression from drawing to finished painting.  What I don't know is if it looks better at the next-to-the-last stage or the last one.  I am open to input!!

A Small Landscape Takes Shape

The other day I decided to paint pears as a change of pace.  I drew them in sepia paint, life size, on an 8x8 canvas and added a red background.  It was rich. I highlighted the bright yellows and put dark brown shadows under the pears. I touched greens and blues in the bodies. Then I lost interest.  The more I painted, the less I was able to concentrate.  It was not long before I scraped all the paint off and then rubbed out the images with a rag.  Of course a landscape immediately started taking shape. The blue of the water gave me great peace. I kept one eye on a pastel I did this fall while sitting on a tall dune, looking north from the Saugatuck Dunes State Park.  Ahhh... there is nothing like the beach to keep one grounded and calm.