Thursday 2 February 2012

Winter Sunlight

Oil on Board, 6 x8 inches

I painted this little guy yesterday morning, standing on a very sloping bank of the River Welland, having traipsed for about a mile with by tripod and pochade box.   I was looking straight into the sun which provided gorgeous dazzling diamonds of light dancing on the water, but it's never easy to see the colours you put on the painting in these circumstances.  The sun was shining, but it was freezing cold (about -60C) and I had to abandon it after an hour-and-a-half, with frostbite set in in three fingers in the right hand necessitating amputation with the palette knife.  And now I'm left with one leg six inches shorter than the other, not from amputation, but from the 45deg angled slope.  The things I do for you people.

I finished it off in the sanctuary of the studio, having put the three fingers back on with Super Glue.  Amazing what it can do.

6 comments:

  1. Having just got back from a month on Fuerteventura enjoying the Canarian sunshine I'm bu**ered if I'd go out plein air painting - I'm hibernating, wrapped up in fleecies and downing lots of hot drinks :-)

    Beautiful work as ever ... Is cutting off three fingers better than one ear???

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    1. You're buttered? That's where you're going wrong Sue - it's Goose fat you need! Go on, get out there!
      Yep, fingers are definitely better than one ear...pardon..what...sorry, I can't hear you....
      Super glue's great!

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  2. Peter,

    your sense of humour is as great as your paintings! Although, having read your blog with a hot mug of coffee in my hand, I laughed so hard I spilled coffee all over my jeans :)

    Your writing is as enjoyable as the artwork. Thanks and keep up the good work.

    Dave

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    1. Thanks Dave! Hope the jeans have dried out - if you want to send me the cleaning bill and need compensation for scalded wedding tackle, my address is 4 Pittissake, Nottatch Arnce, Elfensafety IM 0FF

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  3. Wonderful little painting Peter, well worth loosing a few fingers for, what would you use them for anyway?

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    1. Thanks Bev. A friend of mine said I should keep them in a jar by the door, but I couldn't undo the lid, so they are useful for that!

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