Thursday, January 7, 2010

Cedar Creek Snow Day

Don't you just love this winter weather!? Today was my first experience painting outside in the snow. Not only was it snowing, it was cold, and blowing, and snowing. Did I say snowing? I got my new Cabelas Snowy Range 1200 Pack Boots in the mail today. Just what I've been waiting for. Those puppies are rated to -135F, and let me tell you; I was standing on solid ice for about two hours for this painting and my feet stayed nice and toasty. Love 'em.

This was also my first time using my new easel outside. I've been using it in the study the past few days and was very pleased with how it handled, inside and out. It's a Beauport "Gloucester style" easel that was tuned up by the good folks at Take it Easel. You'll also see my new paintbox I made to go with the easel. Closed it's about 4" thick and 20" x 20" square. Opened it's huge. Worked great in the windy conditions today.

So here are some pics of my outing. I'll probably take this one further in the studio. It started getting dark and the wind really picked up toward the end.

"Cedar Creek - Snow"
22" x 28", oil on stretched linen



 

 

 

8 comments:

Pat Koscienski said...

I love hearing about your winter excursion. Tried it once using chemical hand and foot warmers. There was a well-known Pennsylvania impressionist, Edward Redfield, who used to "lash his canvas to a tree" during a winter storm to paint. What we go through for the sake of art. Your painting is great; you don't have much, if anything, more to do. I'm also awed at the size of your canvas for a plein air painting.

Regina said...

What a great way to catch the spirit of the day. I don't think I could paint when it's that cold. My fingers stiffen up.
Good luck with your future excursions. I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

Murilo S Romeiro said...

I do not know what is painting outside under a season like that, I hope you don't loose any fingers after this.
:o)

Leslie Hawes said...

Love the on site photos!
And who is that stoic polar explorer in the new snow boots?

CiCi said...

Thanks for the heads up on the artic boots. Hubby and I are checking them out online.

Shelley Ross said...

Oh, your post made me smile... scrolling down through the pics and there you are! It was great.
So is the painting.

What is the brand of easel you are using? It look like a convenient setup for plein air.

Thanks for posting - these pics are full of useful information.

Shelley

Art with Liz said...

Great painting and a great post Bill. You certainly looked warm underneath that hat thingie!

Nancy Eaton said...

Your paintings are so much better than the "real" landscape! This is why I have problems with plein aire -- I don't know how to edit! Fabulous job!