Snow on the Hay Bales

What should have been rain turned early to snow - much to my delight!  As I took care of daily chores, I kept an eye out for snow accumulation, checking the light and chroma for optimum painting time. Waiting as long as I thought I could to get the job done before dark - I almost waited too long!  I will need to add a better photo tomorrow in daylight, because the colors are not true in this pic.  It has been SO appropriate that the weather is mirroring my soul.  I've been blue since we moved our youngest to his own place in Saturday, and the skies have been crying since.  He's so excited to take this step, and of course we are beyond proud of him, but this Mama's heart just wants it's babies near, no matter how old they are.  Almost blizzard conditions expected tomorrow, and then an Arctic Blast, so I hope to paint dark, snowy scenes all week to match the very heart of me.  Painting number 4018 in 4018 days. 

Home through the Snow

I do love a bright, sunny winter's day - even when it means all that beauty melting away.  If only the snow would last longer, there are so many other paintings I could paint!  I am using my 7x5 thumb box today, mainly because my painting window is small.  The weekends are full of family activities, so there is seldom time for large paintings.  I sketch out my scene with paint, filling in once I have the house and horizon positioned.  I know this place well, and still, I never tire of painting here.  Painting number 3336 in 3336 days. 

Snow at East Creek

I love the twists and turns of East Creek, blanketed with yesterday's heavy snow.  Often the surface of the water freezes over, and the movement below will start melting tiny rivulets in dark shades.  It can be a challenge to capture all the moods of this frozen water, from shiny to opaque, dark to reflecting, and it often changes as I paint!  So, I lay in those darkest masses first, then the lightest, and proceed to the midtones from there.  Long ago, I would sketch each one in ink before starting.  I've be at it so long now, I can arrive at the place and already know what I want to paint.  Love the winter beauty of this place.  Painting number 3334 in 3334 days. 

Snow on Cedar Trail

 

My dog really enjoys a run around the property, especially during the winter months.  So, I took him out early to hunt for any snow left after the warm days of sunshine.  This path is heavily shaded by cedars in several places, and I was so happy to find a lovely snowscene left to paint!  Returning with my oils, it is actually another warm day to paint with little wind.  I can already see that the distant trees need to be roughed up a little, but that is an easy fix while the paint is still wet!  SO relaxing to stand in this place and paint, and I love painting the last remaining snow on the cedar trail this afternoon! Painting number 3308 in 3308 days, and day 22 #stradaeasel challenge