Friday, January 2, 2009

Winter Light



Today's work involved boots, layers of clothing, and gloves. Working in a foot of snow was a new challenge, along with simply setting up my easel. It tilted one way and then the other and was impossible to get even so I worked tilted. What a wonderful experience on a spectacular day. I have always loved winter and now I have a purpose and a new passion, painting outside in the snow.


Below is a painting I did yesterday. This is from a photo I took last summer along the little Klickitat.


7 comments:

Celeste Bergin said...

Fabulous painting from the photo and that snow scene is awesome! Did you finish the painting?

Donna Van Tuyl said...

Hi Celeste, yes I did finish the painting. I consider the painting to be an information gathering event and will use that information for a studio painting, which you will see. I worked for only an hour and my hands started to get numb. I like the little painting, but it is rough.

Donna T said...

I look forward to seeing that winter painting one day, Donna. It looks really good on your easel out there in the snow. Your summer scene reminds me very much of an Elizabeth Mowry work - such excellent use of warm greens, gold and cool blue-violet.

Donna Van Tuyl said...

Thank you Donna T. I feel the summer scene was a break through. I am going to paint the same scene larger and see where it goes.

Adriana Meiss said...

Donna,
I cannot wait to see that winter scene! It looks just gorgeous in your photo.
Seeing you painting outdoors at this time of year is really very encouraging. How long were you able to paint in the cold? Any tips on what to bring with you?

Donna Van Tuyl said...

Thank you Adriana. It was not so very cold, right around 30 degrees, with a rather brisk breeze. I wore felt lined boots and several layers of clothing, hat and gloves. I had to remove the gloves while I worked and then warm my hands in my pockets. I was only here for an hour, that is all I could take on that day. I will try again....soon. My only real problem was getting the easel straight in the snow. I tried tramping down the snow, but that only served to make the situation worse, finally I gave up and painted at a slant. By the end my hands were frozen and so next time I will bring those warmer things that get warm when you take them out of the package. Oh, and I did a turp under painting and it took forever to dry, unlike in the summer when it dries instantly. So I waited and waited, until finally I started painting over the still set wash.

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna, it is awsome to see your painting on location, and compare real life seen through the distortions of a photo, and compare with your interpretation of it. You're such a wonderful painter!

Charlie