The Cows Come Home

 

No better way to relax than to paint these beauties during the Golden Hour!  After a long day of hard work, immersing myself so completely here, with only the focus of what is before me, restores me in a way nothing else does.  The experience fills me up, and I can go forth with love and light for the world.  Painting number 4977 in 4977 days. 

Cow and Calf

Cows are the best mamas, often one watching all the babies while the rest graze. The light was glorious, and I was simply compelled to paint this beauty.  Pastoral scenes are my absolute favorite to paint.  The time spent with animals, the land and the softly blowing breeze, is so peaceful and relaxing.  It's the perfect break on another busy day, and panting number 5030 in 5030 days. 

Herefords in the Snow

 

I love when these guys come model for me - even when they don't stick around!  Their warm hues are accentuated by those cool blues in the snow. The sky was just beginning to warm up - so I pushed that warmth to further set off the snow. It was warmer today than it has been for days - and with the hedgerow windbreak, I was toasty. Another Arctic blast comes tonight with a little more snow.  I hope to get a few more snow paintings finished before the rain comes next week!  Painting number 4026 in 4026 days.  

Hereford Quartet

 

Hereford Pair

Painting cattle in the pasture is such a peaceful way to spend time outside. Getting a few things ready for galleries, this small painting is on my easel today.  Herefords have such wonderful color, they are very printable in the landscape. I use my brushes to fill out the composition, then I reach for my palette knife for the final paint marks.  I like the way the knife lays down thicker paint.  There is something so peaceful about watching these large animals as they graze, and it is always a joy to paint them.  Painting number 2971 on 2971 days. 

Herefords Three

It feels like Christmas when a new fountain pen arrives in the mail!  This one is the TWSBI Diamond AL R in limited edition punch pink, and of course it writes like a dream!  The new ink is from Diamine Inkvent collection, Nutcracker. It is a rich red brown, but I couldn't get it dark enough in shadow areas, so had to use some Thunderstorm ink from Robert Oster to balance it.  I know this sounds crazy, but I might just expel half of that ink and add in black.  I'll try it out first with a dip pen. It really isn't recommended to mix inks, but sometimes I can't help myself!  The ink comes in this very lovely bottle, and perhaps I could get a deeper value with a brush?  I couldn't do that in the field, I don't carry any ink bottles with me.  That would be a disaster if the lid loosened up in a bag!  I've used my favorite Watercolor Confections palettes to wash in the color on that handmade paper.  Painting number 2949 in 2949 days. 

Grazing Cows

Unseasonably warm, it was a perfect February day to get outside!  It is always a treat to escape from my chores for some time well spent with nature, inks and watercolor.  I remember the days when my grandparents ran black Angus cattle here for many, many years.  When my mom was young, they had dairy cows and the endless milking morning and night.  Cattle in the pasture links me with my past, and I can't even pass them on the road without wanting to pull over and paint them!  Perhaps this weekend I can paint these darlings with snow on the ground! Painting number 2948 in 2948 days. 

Christmas Eve Cows

This afternoon, I'm sneaking in a quick sketch before gathering with family over at Mom's house.  These cows have been calling my name all week - perhaps I'll get more time to paint after the holidays are over.  Happy Christmas Eve! Painting number 2910 in 2910 days. 

Twilight Herefords

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So often I see the cattle grazing on the western meadow, and I'm normally in the thick of yardwork.  This evening, I finally got the chance to paint these newest babies and mamas.  I'm so thankful to have a mowed path to paint from!  That grass is up to my chest in the pasture, and that grass would surely wind up in my paint, painting, and everywhere!  Painting number 2698 in 2698 days!

Three Polled Herefords

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When one paints outside as much as I do, reading the weather becomes second nature. I paint until the very last moment before ducking for cover.  I started this painting right after a heavy downpour.  The colors are fresh from the rain, and the cattle came close after their handler tossed out some feed.  So glad they came close for the end of the day!  Painting number 2353 in 2353 days.

Hereford Trio

I've been playing with my paints this week, tweaking the colors I want on my spring palette. Today I added Winsor Newton's light red, for that warm Hereford red hue.  I had red oxide on there, but it just wasn't what I wanted. This red is perfect for old barns and herefords!  Painting number 2297 in 2297 days. 

Spring Herefords

With the changing season, I have been switching between palettes, trying to decide just what to take out of town.  I used my Richeson palette all winter, having ordered them all in the fall.  It was great for winter, but could it move into spring?  I found almost everything I wanted in it today. I did add some of my favorite Gamblin radiants to it for that extra pop and highlight I find in the spring landscape.  I have hardly used them for months, but I don't want to leave town without them!  Perhaps this will be the perfect palette for my upcoming events!  Painting number 2297 in 2297 days.

Cattle by the Pond

Spring colors are sweeping over the landscape, and overnight the pasture is green.  I couldn't find these guys this morning, and had to call my neighbor to discover they'd moved to a back pasture.  This turned out to be a treat as the cattle were lined up behind that pond, just waiting to be painted!  With high wind gusts today, it was necessary to keep one hand on my easel at all times!  And perhaps I should have chosen a smaller panel, the 16x20 really caught the wind like a sail!  Oh, but it was worth it. Painting number 2295 in 2295 days.

Hereford Trio in the Snow

This light has been so amazing the last few days!  I have missed this gorgeous Missouri winter light!  These Herefords are so good to pose for me - I see so many different paintings during the process!  In fact, the one I liked the most happened as I was packing up shop!  There is always tomorrow, but that snow is melting in a hurry!  Painting number 2253 in 2253 days.