Lost Valley Lake Bridge

 

The warm autumn days are numbered, and today I'm thankful for another one!  Our temps are expected to drop as low as 20 by the weekend so I'm soaking in every minute before.  We've had such a lovely autumn, I want it to last forever.  So, I paint the beauty while it's still before me, and I'll embrace lovely winter when it comes.  Painting number 4388 in 4388 days. 

Autumn Path

 

I'm so happy to paint the peak color at Gasconade Fall Plein Air at the Lost Valley Lake!  I loved this path winding through the fall trees, and I just HAD to paint it.  This 35 minute wonder happened because I could not leave this space before painting it - and had only minutes to rush to turn in other work!  No better was to keep things loose and fresh!  Painting number 4377 in 4377 days. 

Autumn at Lost Valley Lake

It is SO FUN to explore a new place with paint!  The fall colors are really coming out now, and I just couldn't seem to paint fast enough!  After the ink sketch of the Lodge and boathouse on Lost Valley Lake, I decided to use my gouache paints for the color.  I love how they have a color punch that hits the mark sooner than watercolor - and lately I've been struggling a bit with getting strong color in the field.  I haven't painted any paintings with gouache, but I sure do like what they can do for me!  Painting number 4370 in 4370 days.