Painting in Yellowwood, November 4, 2021
Painting in Yellowwood, November 4, 2021
First Frost
Fall is running late this year! The first frost was November 3 here on my ridgetop, just the day before creating this plein air oil painting. First hard freeze was a day or two later. So, the leaves are changing slowly. Still lots of green!
Hiking Out
I hiked with my gear out into Yellowwood State Forest. I hiked about 1 1/2 miles out a ridge, heading south, and then dropped down to the creek below. I followed the creek a short ways until I settled on a spot to paint. There are so many choices to paint it can be tough to decide! The day started out feeling comfortable but got colder as the afternoon approached evening. My feet were downright cold by the time I packed up and headed home at dusk! I was ready to get moving and warm up!
Video
Here is a video I made of the plein air painting from set up to pack up. Three hours of painting condensed down to two minutes!
Link to Video
On YouTube
So, here is the finished painting and detail shots.
Jack, the Wanderer
The plan was to tie Jack, the foxhound, so I wouldn’t have to worry about keeping track of him while I painted. Tommy stays right with me so I don’t need to worry about where he is while I am painting. Jack can be a mile away in three minutes if I am not watching him.
But, when I decided on the spot where I wanted to paint and beeped Jack back to me to let him know I would be setting up there, he took off. Never saw him again while I was painting. Once I packed up, I started to call and beep him just in case he was still within range. Walking home, I was thinking I would just have to leave him at home in the future, that he just couldn’t go with me painting.
Good Boy
But, much to my pleasant surprise, when I got to the hill that leads to the back of my property and the back gate at the top, there was Jack! Waiting for us! To say I was shocked would be an understatement. So, I guess he can still go painting with me.
Back in the studio, an unpleasant surprise awaited me when I unpacked my backpack and found my painting had been schmooshed and some of the knife marks were marred. I suspect that the damage occurred while packing up when Tommy, who weighs in at maybe 80-90 pounds, stepped on my pack with the painting in a carrier inside. I was a bit crestfallen at first to see the mooshed paint after all my hard work. But, after reworking it in the studio, I was happy with the result.
Field Notes
I always write my field notes on the back of the painting as soon as I unpack it in the studio. I wrote: “Plein air oil painting. 2:45-6:15, Sunny, 50°, turns chilly as the sun goes down, COLD towards the end. Cold feet. 1 1/2 miles back in Yellowwood State Forest, Brown County, Indiana.”
Once again, let’s end with the finished painting:
Thanks for following along! Enjoy what is left of the autumn!
Happy trails,
Charlene
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