Barn in the Mist

The fog was still heavy when I left the gym.  YAY!  What should I paint?  The weathered red of the barn vibrates so well against the cool grays - I headed straight home to the milk barn.  I first brushed in the lines of the barn, then started filling in masses.  I used my newish 8x10 Guerilla Painter Cigar Box this morning.  I've only used it a couple of times - and there are a few things I should have packed!  I didn't have safflower oil on board (no washing brushes), nor did I have a palette knife (!) or a rubber scraper (which I sign my name with)!  I made due, but I will be remedying this situation pronto!  I like everything streamlined, ready for me to grab and paint!   Painting number 1507 in 1507 days.

Tangled Trees in Lamplight

As the day was winding down, and I begin to do those last chores of the day, this scene is what I see when I look out the window!   How can I simply turn my back on such beauty?  No matter how tired I was, you know what I did, right?  In a scene like this, I prefer to start with a dark panel.  I didn't have any primed, so I chose one in a dark pumpkin shade.  I start by laying in the darks of all shadow areas, and then define the light.  With the fog, the light spreads far into the landscape, and the deep, dark blue of the sky is not even visible.  There is only the warm light from our light pole throwing all the redbud trees into silhouette.  There is so much beauty around us every day, all we have to do is look!  This painting makes 1474 in 1474 days :)

Oil on panel, 10x8
purchase here

January Fog

I could not believe my eyes when I awoke to ANOTHER foggy morning!!  Wanting to paint 10x8, I realized the fog was already thinning.  Judging that I may have less than an hour in this light, I pulled out a 7x5 instead.  I am again using my limited palette of Indian yellow, red oxide, alizarin crimson, Windsor blue, titanium white and ivory black.  This very typical pasture scene was quickly painted in masses, cutting in around the trees with the distant misty fog.  Just like a clear day, the fog is lightest at the horizon, so I find myself dropping in more light at the top of the distant tree row.  The sun was already popping through the clouds with my last strokes.  Painting number 1472 in 1472 days :)

Oil on panel  7x5
purchase here

Winter Grapevines in the Fog

Another gorgeous, foggy morning - and I HAD to get out there and capture it!  These grapevines caught my attention yesterday, but the west pasture beckoned.  Today, these vines would not be denied.  I sketched the general composition quickly, then started laying paint.  Whenever I have limited time, I just let instinct take over and work as fast as I can.  This is painted with my limited palette, which ensures strong color harmony.  I used a limited palette exclusively for years with my acrylics in plein air, and I have really had fun getting back to that with my small pocket box set up!  I find I am going back to those limited colors even on my larger works lately!  Painting number 1471 in 1471 days :)

Purchase here 

Foggy Winter Morning

With more fog expected this morning, I rose early.  With every intention to finish this painting before pilates, I rushed to get outside.  Once painting, I relished the opportunity to paint such a thick, juicy atmosphere!  I knocked this one out quickly, but I was still late to pilates!   I made up for it with extra laps on the track...... painting number 1470 in 1470 days!   I hope this fog continues!

Oil on panel, 7x5
Purchase here

Frosted Fog at the Barn

Frost enveloped the landscape this morning - and I could not resist it!  The fog was still heavy and luminous - so I started painting!  As a result, I was a little late to Zumba!  There is more frost expected in the morning, so I will get up extra early to be ready for it!  I love the challenge of this frosty scene with it's close values and minimal color.  I don't think I've ever painted in the frost before.  The very best thing about trying to paint en plein air everyday is the wide range of color and value in the landscape, especially in the quiet of winter.  I find I am enjoying it immensely!  Painting number 1469 in 1469 days :)

Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here