The last two paint-outs: variety!

The last two paint-outs were sunny and clear skies.  We had another artist, Emma, join us.  We are growing!   On Jan. 8 we met at an historic cattle ranch "park" outside of Carson City, called Silver Saddle Ranch.  Here are some pictures showing the views.  It is amazing that calves are being born in this frigid weather.

On Jan. 15 we three met on Mt. Rose at the ski school location of Sky Tavern when it was closed for skiing.  It was warmer ---- a toasty 37 degrees!  I have a new set-up for my oils - an old paintbox mounted on a tripod.  Much easier and lighter than the french easel!  I actually needed to snowshoe where I painted because the snow was not packed down there and was quite deep.

Last-minute paint-out .... 24 degrees F !

As much as I'd like to schedule a paint-out for other to attend, this time of year and this location makes it almost impossible unless it is last-minute - so it is between people who know each other and telephone or email to get together.

To keep everyone thinking about going out to paint, I will "share and tell" last-minute paint-outs, and maybe you will try some of these locations on your own when you can.  I am also thinking of posting various plein-air kits that people have in different mediums, and lists of weather-specific items you must bring.  That will be in a later post.

Carol G. and I went to the south end of Washoe Lake at the parkinglot where it is called the Wetlands and there is a boardwalk that goes out over the marsh with a wildlife viewing platform.  It was about 10:30 am on New Years Day....and it was sunny and clear (a little hazy due to inversion) and it was about 24 degrees when we got there!  Carol says  "meeting the challenge of painting outside on a stunningly beautiful winter day in Nevada; the air is cold, crisp  and light at the Washoe Lake Wetlands, intense!"

Carol chose to walk out on the boardwalk to the end to capture the marshlands and Slide Mountain.  I chose the parking lot where there was a beautiful view looking southwest.  (I also enjoyed the back hatch of my subaru for a place to put things and have hot tea out of a thermos (with a shot of something else in it to ease a scratching throat!).

One thing I recommend (I heard some other artists do this) is to premix a palette of color at home.  I knew where we were going, I knew the sun would light up the snow and the snow in shadow would reflect the clear blue sky, and I knew there would be reddish and brownish willows and trees and ochre colored grass poking through.  This REALLY helped!  I finished an 8 x 10 in a record 1-1/2 hour!  I also left my french easel partially assembled in the back of the subaru so that all I had to do was extend the legs.  That really helped because you need fingers to tighten those pesky wingnuts - and my fingers got real cold being out - so it was great to have that part of it done already.

We wore what people would wear to go snow shoeing or skiing - long underwear, wool socks, big boots with tread, a wool hat or ear covers are a must, Big Poofy Jacket of some kind, sweaters, T-necks, mittens or gloves, and sunglasses!!!!  Must protect from snow blindness!  Maybe you will be surprised how your painting looks at home without the glasses - but better that then damage your eyes!

It was a beautiful and and we are so glad we went out!  It IS DO-ABLE in the winter!

Happy Holidays! We just got snow!

2 hours plein air

Finished at home weeks later!

Just to let you know that some of us have been trying to get together to paint, but because of iffy weather, it was very last minute and I was not able to post the event.  Another reason was that I was in Phoenix for a week (I did plein air paint there too).  A few weeks ago, two Lake Tahoe oil painters and I met at Sand Harbor State Park for a paint out.  It was the last nice day for a while before the holiday rush.

Now, as of today, there is snow on the ground.  Maybe after Christmas, the storm will have blown over and a paint-out can be planned for the meadow at Mt. Rose or somewhere for a "snow painting"!

A reminder to those who would like to paint with us - you can use any medium you want.  While I was in Phoenix I found it easier to wear a backpack with small watercolor kit, because I combined hiking into the day.  Here are my simple watercolor sketches - one unfinished - just to show you that we are NOT heavy-duty professionals who will intimidate you!

P.S.  I would like to apologize for the little calendar wiget at the top of the page.  Someone hacked in and attached offensive ads to it.  I have removed it.  Sorry!

Report on last two paint-outs - Mt. Rose and Rancho San Rafael

Meadow on Mt. Rose:  With the holidays, no one else could make it but me.  What a difference a week makes.  More snow up on the meadow.  Today had very high winds, but the roads were dry.  I made changes in my painting plan:  I packed a small watercolor kit that I could paint while in my vehicle.  Good thing too - I took pictures outside and felt the wind almost blow me off balance.  But that didn't phase the snowshoers and the kids off school sliding down the hill in saucers.  I was in good company up there, but warm, out of the wind and a great view from my windshield!

Here is my set up:  a box lid serves as a desk for my lap.

The consul serves as a holder for my water container, and the driver's seat as an extension of my "desk".

And here is my painting:

Rancho San Rafael Park:  Carol Grigus joined me for a lovely day of painting.  I don't have a picture of her painting - she got a later start than I did.

My painting was down by the bridge over the creek where the trees are almost crawling across the ground.  I am still "learning" this medium - trying to do alla prima (done all at once without making mud!).

9 x 12 oil

Nov. 20, 2012 (Tuesday) Meadows on Mt. Rose

Mt. Rose Hwy looking east

Date:  November 20, 2012
Time:  11:30 am (note time is later!)
Place:  Mt. Rose Hwy at the Meadow on the top
Parking:  roadside
Meeting place:  I will probably be where this sign says "stairs"
Amenities:  bathrooms are at the Mt. Rose trailhead parking area east of the above photo.  I don't know if they are closed for the season!  Sorry - I forgot to check.

What to bring:

• camera
• hiking boots or snow boots at least!
• snow shoes if you have them will get you farther
• drinking water
• sunscreen, hat and sunglasses if sunny (snow reflection on sunny day is bright!)
• painting gear
• outerwear clothing - check forecast and throw a coat in the car!
• your lunch if you need it!
• your gear in a backpack if you wish to walk into the snow, hmmm, sled might work too!
• carry chains, or, be prepared with snow tires and/or all-wheel-drive if you can
• cell phone

Hazards:  some areas have snow covering little streams, some ice, potential hazardous driving up the Mt. Rose Hwy if icy after a storm.  

Directions:  from Reno, drive up the Mt. Rose Hwy to the top meadow before it goes downhill into Incline Village.

I visited this location today - it was gorgeous - there is a lot of color right now - red stick dogwood, willows, snow patches, evergreens, muted gold grasses.

There is supposed to be snow over the weekend into Monday in the upper elevations.  We are now getting into the "WEATHER PERMITTING" type of planning paint-outs.  

November 14, 2012 (Wed.) Rancho San Rafael Park Paint-Out

Date:     Nov. 14, 2012 (Wednesday)

Time:     9:30 am

Place:     Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno, NV

Parking:  Park at the Arboretum parking lot

Amenities:  drinking water, bathrooms, paved walkways through the arboretum, picnic tables

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• walking shoes
• appropriate clothing for weather
• A backpack or cart (if you have one) to tote your art gear down the path to the creek

What you will see from this location to paint:  the arboretum is in fall colors now, and the flower gardens may be done for the year.  Most of us like to take the walkway that leads down the hill to the wild areas at the creek - willows, rushes and tall grasses, cottonwoods.  

Directions - entrance is on Sierra Street, not far from the intersection of McCarran Blvd.

Link:  http://www.washoecounty.us/parks/rsrp.htm

Recent Paint-Outs - a little report

Below are highlights of recent paint-outs.  I always ask artists first if I can take a picture of their painting, and post it.  It is meant to share-and-tell, and to encourage others to join us...that we don't do everything perfectly ourselves, and that we are still learning each and every day, and we can learn from each other as well.

On Oct. 31, 2012, three of us (Carol Grigus, Ida and myself)  met in Genoa to paint.  What a difference a day makes!  The day before was gorgeous, and the day we were there, there was no sun shining on those gorgeous golden cottonwood trees.  Overcast days are not a favorite lighting condition for plein air artists because there are no shadows which help create form, contrast, and good compositions.  When there are no darks in the landscape, we need to emphasize what darks we can, for instance, the hills behind golden foliage.  The dark against the yellow really makes them pop.  If we painted them against a pale blue sky, the yellow would just blend in to the sky.  Another trick is to add a little purple into the darks next to a gold/yellow - since the complimentary color of yellow is purple, it makes the gold brighter appearing.  You can see where Ida did that in her painting below.

We did our best, and at least got our paintings blocked in before lunch.  Carol got a great start massing in her shapes with a great composition, and she will work on it at home.  I can't wait to see it when it is done.  Ida, working in pastel, says her painting is still a work in progress and also wants to do more at home.  My painting, in oil, was a learning experience!  I found that in certain lighting situations, glare from a grey day can make it hard for me to see my painting - especially when it has a glossy reflective surface like oil!  Next time, I'll turn my easel in such a way that I can see better. Thanks Ida, for reminding me to mass in my darks first!  Next time, I'll do that and maybe I won't struggle so much.

Carol's

Ida's

Mine (Carolyn)

On Oct. 24, 2012, Carol and I went to Thomas Creek (last minute - so it was not scheduled here).  We were having a cold front move in, and although it was sunny, there were snowflakes coming down now and then from the wind.  Bundled up for cold, I worked for 2 hours.  Carol drove up the road, so I never saw her or her painting, but here is mine:

oil on panel

On October 9, 2012, Carol and I went to Taylor Creek, Lake Tahoe, to paint during the Kokanee Salmon Run.  It was a GORGEOUS day, but also a day where lots of people come to see the salmon run, including busloads of school kids.  Since this is such a unique event, we both painted the fish in the stream.  I stuck it out near the visitor center and was visited by lots of school kids!  It made it impossible to finish my painting.  Carol went upstream to avoid the crowds, but was on the lookout for bears...so she did not finish either.  I hope to see her finished painting someday.  I can only post mine at this time:

9 x 12 pastel over watercolor