Good morning. The weather today is blustery and crisp, our high is expected to be less than 60 and the wind is gusting up to 40mph. I went out painting because the sunshine was irresistible, but I was fighting the wind the whole time. It's NOT fun painting in the wind. I don't mind the cold so much, altho, my hands go numb and it has nothing to do with my carpal tunnel! I don't mind drizzle or even light rain, but I wonder if my wooden easel can take much of it without warping. I painted in sleet in Nevada once, not a fun experience, but everything else was so exhilarating I didn't really notice it!
Lately, my paintings have concentrated on certain specifics, trees, blowing grasses, clouds, the lay of the land... whatever I feel I need to learn for that day, I force myself to work on that specific thing. For a time composition was foremost in my mind, and then it was drawing, getting the forms correct, and then I had a period where color and matching the things I was seeing exactly with just the right tone, warm or cool and, of course, value! Value is the biggest challenge for me all the time! I am finally seeing some progress, but those gray days are still very difficult.
Painting outdoors has many many challenges, insects, weather, location, time, and DANG IT... forgetting your brushes/canvas/turp/paint!!! Have done all of the above! But it is one of the MOST rewarding of all types of painting. I start out with a song in my heart, the world is wonderful, nothing can go wrong (but it sometimes does) and I usually end on a high note. You should all come out and try it with me sometime! I am holding a one day workshop on Plein Air painting in April in New Braunfels. come give it a GO!
