Saturday 4 February 2012

Bright, Freezing morning

 Oil on board, 6 x 8 inches

I painted this one en plein air (outside, on site) this morning. I'm painting more and more on site these days, but this sort of scene is very difficult, or at least I find it so, to capture in the time available. Looking straight into the sun by a river, there is a twinkling sparkle on the water, which I adore to paint, but because our star moves so quickly, especially at this time of year being so low in the sky, you really have to get a move on and get the drawing and main elements down quickly - a demanding, but rewarding discipline if it comes off. 

As in 'Winter Sunlight' posted yesterday, it was absolutely freezing after a light dusting of snow, but my glued on fingers worked surprisingly well.  After an hour-and-a-half, the light had changed so much and gangrene had reset in my three previously amputated digits, that it was pointless carrying on.  I took a photo of the scene half-way through the painting process and completed it back in the studio. 

This is how far I got before packing up:
 and here's a view of the scene and my plein air setup:

9 comments:

  1. I can feel that bone chilling cold! Very pretty.
    You are a very brave man Peter. I have to steel myself to take the mutt out for her walk and I can keep my hands in my pockets....and wear gloves.
    Glad to hear the digits are working.

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  2. Nice to see the original scene and how you have inhanced it. Good job you use a 1" brush you wouldn't be able to hold anything smaller. It's now snowing I wonder if you'll ever thaw out. Ve.

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  3. I like this one a lot, and the other smaller frosty one you did. I admire your commitment to your art!
    Fay

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  4. Really like this one. Spot on!
    Andrew

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  5. P.S. Is it my imagination, or is this one a tad looser in style?
    Andrew

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    1. Thank you Andrew! It's not intentionally looser in style, but if it appears so, then I'm very happy! It was mostly completed en plein air, so maybe that's the key!

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    2. Could well be - especially when it's cold!!
      Would that pre-studio stage be too loose for you?
      Andrew

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    3. Yes! I don't think it stands up against the finished article, but that's just me!

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