Friday, February 12, 2010

painting in the snow/sunset

about 8x10 pastel on BFK
Last night there were only small gusts of wind so I decided it was time to go outside to paint again. I wanted to study more nuances of the sunset that my memory had missed. The snow was so deep only the last segment of the tripod could rise out of it.

To paint outdoors in deep snow requires even more clothing- insultates, sweats and waterproof overalls, boots, gaiters (I am from snow country), coat and I was toasty- except of fingers, of course.

It's amazing how many complementary colors dance next to each other as the sun sets.

19 comments:

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Extreme plein air painting! You win the prize! Cold everything, including your pastels. Lovely result.

SamArtDog said...

wow. seeing is believing. not that your pastels aren't proof, but the knee-deep stuff is a whole new level. har har. you're right, the complements are everything.
question: would the beauty be in the sunset if Lorriann weren't there to paint it?

loriann signori said...

Hi Katherine and Sam,
It was great when I was out there. Although it was quite a journey just getting there..walking through the heavy, deep snow, with my big pack. The snow was so deep it acted like a table!
As for Sam's question... unfortunately I never do justice to the beauty that is there. I will continue to try. I often wonder if I should just do memory paintings...but I LOVE to paint outdoors!
Happy painting! L

Jill Berry said...

Wow! Terrific work!
Those warm notes certainly do bounce around in that snowy atmosphere. (We are suppose to get snow here today, but like Sam said...seeing is believing.)

loriann signori said...

Thanks Jill! Snow in Florida!!!! Seeing is believing!

Jala Pfaff said...

You make lumberjacks look like wusses.
And you make sunsets look real.

loriann signori said...

heehee Jala you make me laugh!

Double "D" said...

the hardiest of souls
and bravest of artists.
mush you huskies we have
pastels to deliver.

p.s. what are insultates? whooheehahasnort.

loriann signori said...

Hey PB! You are back!!!!!! Mush huskies, but wear your insulates (insulated underwear..heehheee, snort)
Am I CRAZY?? Does it matter? heehee -b

Unknown said...

Great adventure!!! And fantastic results! I have included link to this post on Soft Pastel News.
Loriann, what kind of glows did you use? How did you protect your pastels to get dirty from glows?

loriann signori said...

Hi Mario! I am delighted and honored to be included in Soft Pastel News, it's a very interesting blog that is contributing a lot to the pastel community. Thank you!
I paint outside all the time... but usually not in hip deep snow:-) This is Washington DC area..technically south;-)
Sorry, but what do you mean by what kind of glows did I use?

Double "D" said...

nope! and never change.

loriann signori said...

thanks PB- b

Unknown said...

sorry Loriann, I meant gloves :)
Do you use gloves?

loriann signori said...

Oh, gloves...yes I do use gloves, fingerless gloves. My fingers do get cold when the temperature is way below freezing 15 or so degrees Fahrenheit . That is when I carry "hot hands." They are little bags that you squeeze and then they become very hot and the heat lasts for 10 hours. They sell them in ski stores. I will keep them in my pockets. When I did this painting I was only on location for 45-60 minutes so I didn't need them. I reserve those for only the very coldest of days..or long days outside.

Brian McGurgan said...

I love the immediacy of this painting, Loriann, and the beautiful intensity of the color. My feet get cold just looking at you standing there in the snow!

loriann signori said...

Hi Brian, It's really not that bad out there. Yes, the ol' fingers get a little cold, but it's nothing a soy chai can't cure. I just love plein air.
Thanks about the intensity.

Pleasant Ridge Studio said...

I just love your work and admire your courage!

loriann signori said...

Hi Teresa and thank you! It really isn't courage, just love (so I can't stop!) Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog. Loriann