It was bitterly cold with a north wind blasting me. My hands were numb before I even started! I had gloves and hand warmers but it wasn't enough.
I haven't painted plein air in a couple of weeks and was surprised at how rusty and out of sinc I felt. I had prepared all my gear the night before, and even that I felt resistance getting into the studio and doing it! I can see how artist block could develop by just not painting and not having that art thinking and routine...
The view I chose needed work with the composition - see pic below. But I thought it had potential. I managed to start but was so cold I could barely think. I got the essence in and then retreated home.
I finished it yesterday afternoon (too late to take pic and blog). Something I was mindful about was the dark bank of mud in the foreground I wanted a line of water to lead you to the mid ground and boat. So I added to the wiggle of water that was there already. I took out the second boat as the compostion was unbalanced with it.
I'm happy with the outcome and very pleased to be painting again!
What an uninspiring view re photo! Somehow you have produced from that a painting that is powerfully evocative of winter by the sea.
ReplyDeleteI must say that I think you are crazy to paint outside when the temperature is zero or below which it must be at 8 o'clock in the morning when the skies lighten enough for you to see what you are doing.
Fabulous light! You were so right to take out the second boat it does make for a much more very pleasing composition. It makes me shudder to think of the icy elements you endured but you have a talent for creating a lovely painting out of initially unpromising views.
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