Click Here to BidI bought an Open Box M easel lately and I was so excited to try it out. This morning, I went to a small park not far from my home and did my first plein air of the year. It was a cold and cloudy day. I set up my clean and shining easel and carefully placed some fresh colors on the palette, afraid of contaminating the new thing. Well, life was getting more interesting. The wind came and it was getting colder. After I just blocked in my darks, it started to rain. Oh boy, using water as the medium for an oil painting was totally new to me. My paint stuck on my brush like a lollipop and refused to stick to my glass palette. I had to mix my colors on the canvas. My fingers got numbed, my hair was wet, and my new Box M..... Well, it was no longer new any more. "I think it is the time to go home" I was telling my stubborn artist's mind. I covered my canvas with whatever colors I got on my brush, and put away everything clumsily in the car. As soon as I rushed out the park's gate, Oh my Lord, the Sun came out.
What a wonderful plein air day I had! In spite of all the miseries, I sort of like what I did on this painting.
Sounds like quite the day, that's why I don't paint outside much. I love your result, that should make you feel it was worth your misery.
ReplyDeleteToo funny! Sun always comes out as soon as you abandon anything.
ReplyDeleteLove the final result despite the lollipop!
You never cease to inspire me. It is though you captured your mood in this painting. Great movement and brush work.
ReplyDeleteConsidering the misery you were finding yourself in, I think the bright area at the base of the tree reflects the brightness of your outlook. In fact, Its a thoroughly nice painting, and I'd never have guessed such problematic weather...
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P.S. Thank you for saying the nice things about my own work. You're too kind.
That was the funniest story - plein air painting par excellence! Wonderful results despite the weather - and in just a few deliberate brushstrokes - amazing. I enjoy your blog and look forward to each posting.
ReplyDeleteI adore this painting.
ReplyDeleteI too have an Open Box M …mine is the pastel one, but I use it for oils sometimes also. I even set it up in my studio when not out in the field. If you take off the tripod attachment it sits very easily on a desk or tabletop.
Fantastic painting - don't envy you in the cold that comes through so clearly in your painting, but you made it sound like fun anyway. What is an Open Box M? Don't know that one here!
ReplyDeleteBravo! Great painting, wonderful story
ReplyDeleteHaving seen your many wonderful still live paintings, this landscape is refreshing. I like it a lot. I love your brush stoke and colors showing the mode of winter.
ReplyDeleteOh, the joys of plein air! I've had days like this, too, Qiang! And days when it was so cold the paint didn't want to come out of the tube, days when sweat dripped out of my gloves, days when the wind took the canvas and blew it into the sand.... but you ended up with a very nice piece - a bit of a departure for you, but still beautiful!
ReplyDeleteQiang, gorgeous painting and very funny description.
ReplyDeleteWonderful story and painting, Qiang!
ReplyDeleteLove this painting, and laughed out loud at your story!!!
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