Morning in Big Morongo Canyon (Brad Carter)

This painting depicts sunrise in Big Morongo Canyon, a high desert riparian preserve near Joshua Tree National Park. In terms of composition, my intent is to use the contrasts created by the shadow line across the meadow (cool/warm color temperature, light/dark values, complimentary yellow and purple hues) as the primary visual pathway leading the viewer from bottom right corner to the distant cottonwood trees on the far side of the meadow.