Evening Light in the Vineyard

Oh how I love to paint a vineyard!  There is something magical in the rows of grapevines, rolling across the hill.  This particular view is a favorite, and I return each year to capture it in paint.  Tonight was a 90 minute quick paint, which means each artist can start painting at the sound of a horn - and stop when the horn sounds again.  90 minutes is TRULY a quick paint!  No time for diddling around, just direct painting from life.  The wind kicked up a bit, but with the sun at my back, I was comfortable.  Another wonderful day of plein air in Augusta wine country!  Painting 1915 in 1915 days.

Noboleis Winery in Ink

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Today's paper is a deckled edge watercolor card by Strathmore, that I have drawn in fountain pen.  Once my vineyard landscape is as I want it, I come into some of those areas with a little water on a brush, to soften edges and get some of those gray tones.  I like having a card, ready for me to paint, but I miss the yummy texture and response of my favorite khadi papers.  It is always good to mix things up and explore untried supplies.  Who knows - the next thing I try may be the thing I can't live without!  Painting number 1684 in 1684. Yes, I've gotten my count mixed up, and will have to go back and edit the numbers.  How can one be expected to keep that straight with all I have on my plate?

Vineyard in the Rain

It was raining gently when I arrived at the Noboleis Winery quick paint.  Finding shelter in the large white tent,  I found my favorite view of this vineyard.  The greens of spring are so vibrant on a rainy day!  With only an hour and a half to paint,  I quickly blocked in and started meeting edges.  I did not sketch first,  as I've been doing lately.  When time is of the essence,  I drop this step!  With a musician performing add a drink at my side,  this was a pretty cushy plein air set up!  Afterwards,  we all enjoyed a dance party until they closed up shop!  Wine,  music,  dancing and painting - time well spent indeed! Painting number 1577 in 1577 days :)

Vineyard in the Rain
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Mist Rising Over the Vineyard

Some painting days are magical.  This very rainy day yielded saturated colors in the landscape, which could so easily be captured with oils on a panel.  The Schultz family graciously offered their attic as shelter from the rain, with grand views from the windows.   This very cushy spot was a lush way to paint on such a wet day!   I had a special bird's eye view of the vineyards as they swept from the house, allowing me to see each layer of mist as it rose in the hills, between rainfalls.  This place is truly a slice of heaven, and a painting day I will always treasure!   Painting number 1356 in 1356 days.

Vineyard at Noboleis

This morning started with a wonderful group of artists, each relatively new to painting en plein air.  Noboleis Winery was gracious to allow me to hold my workshop in their vineyard!  Could there be a more gorgeous setting than this vineyard for class?  After going over some tried and true plein air tips, everyone set up their easels and I started to sketch the composition.  I took my demo to the block in stage, then circulated as they all progressed towards the same.  Checking at each stage to make sure all were on track, I finished my demo.  I love seeing how each artist progresses through a painting.   It is as individual as handwriting!   Each walked away with a beautiful vineyard landscape and a new tool to help them find their composition in the field.  Helping other artists further their skills is SO rewarding!   This painting was my first of three on Saturday!   Painting number 1354.on 1354 days :)