Very Cold First Snow, February 5, 2022
Winter plein air oil painting
Very Cold First Snow, February 5, 2022
Except for a light dusting, we have had no snow all winter! Until now. We finally got about 6″ of snow here in Brown County which was preceded by a day of rain and a night of ice before the snow started. The county did not plow my road for at least two days. For a week, I only left my property to go out to hike and paint in the forest. So, I finally got some nice snow paintings done this winter.
Details of the painting
Despite a brilliant, sunny day, the temperature was really cold. The sun did not provide any warmth! In fact, it hovered around 23° the entire time which is pretty much as cold as I try to go paint in the forest. The oil paints start freezing and become unworkable pretty fast.
So, I had to work very quickly to capture the painting while my paint was still pliable. As it starts to freeze, I get these tendrils or, as I like to call them, “icicles”.
You can see in this detail as well as other details, the tendrils or “icicles” formed as the paint got stiffer and more frozen.
Painting quickly, outside, in below freezing temperatures, creates a painting with a raw, authentic quality that can only be captured in the cold, frigid weather. The paint handles differently in the brutal cold.
My Extreme Sport Arctic Muck Boots kept my feet and lower legs warm while I stood in the creek to paint. The boots have really thick soles and are completely insulated and waterproof.
Rash guard shirts
While I work up a sweat hiking out to a location the forest, I am then standing for 2-3 hours and can get really cold. I used to wear long sleeved, cotton tees but once they got wet, they stayed wet and I got really cold. Now I love wearing the rash guard shirts I designed that dry quickly once I get to my location and set up to paint. So, the shirt can be wet by the time I arrive at my painting spot but dries out quickly so I can paint in comfort for several hours. Plus, I love the brilliant colors, chakras, and sacred geometry designs.
Cold hands
My hands, in particular, get ice cold. Despite using two sets of knit gloves, I still have to periodically blow on my hands to try to keep them warm. I am still looking for a good glove solution whereby my hands stay warm while my fingers stay flexible enough to paint and use the palette knives.
Next up, is a detail shot of my signature signed in the wet paint while still in the field. I love the way the signature blends in with the rest of the painting when I use my rubber tipped nib to sign my name.
When I get back to the studio, I wait a few hours before pulling the painting out of the carrying box. That gives me some distance between the time I was on the scene and the time I can evaluate how the painting turned out. Then I write my field notes on the back of the painting.
Field Notes on the Back of the Painting, Very Cold First Snow, February 5, 2022
“VERY COLD!! 23°, sunny, my painting was freezing up, especially the Cerulean Blue, so I had to paint quickly. 3-5:30 p.m. My hands were freezing!! I was standing in the creek — my Extreme Sport Arctic Muck Boots keep my feet warm! Sciscoe creek, Yellowwood State Forest, Brown County.”
Thanks for following along.
Happy trails,
Charlene
P.S. To see framed views and to purchase visit: https://www.charlenemarshstudio.com/product/very-cold-first-snow-february-5-2022/
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