Spring Haze

Along Druid Hill Creek are uncountable wild honeysuckle bushes that often burst into leaf this time of year. They're a principal part of the undergrowth along the banks during summer, when the foliage is so thick and abundant you can't see the creek below. This time of year though, the bare brown-black banks and green-brown water reflect bare trees above. And this time of year the partially-open leaf buds give the woods a spring green haze, just at the tops of their tiny branches. 

"Honeysuckle Haze," wc/ink on paper, 7x5

When I do sketches of the creek, I stand in a north window of my home studio, which gives me a view straight downstream. The creek swings from a northeasterly to a northern course just under my window. This is a small watercolor painting, not in a sketchbook. The dark skies and near monochromatic landscape are both common in early April, but the honeysuckle haze means spring is truly here.