value, color and concept...why not to rush

Hmmmmm, so we have established that value is most important. For a good read check out Karen's post about value. So now I will move onto color.
This painting was done from a sketch created on my morning walk at the lake. The light was very low still near ground level, but off in the distance.

Then in the studio I impulsively ran ahead - right into a small color painting, without doing the value painting. Whoops. The value painting shows me what is important, the reason why I am doing the painting. The quick sketch determines the basic shapes and idea.  Long way of saying the first painting failed, even though the colors were good.

So now with the value painting done I will begin again. Now I realize that the choices will be all about how to express the beautiful, melancholy soft light of the dawn and the cycle of life and death. Light and dark are much closer.