Montour Preserve, Winter Freeze

"Winter Freeze"

5"x7"watercolor

 Fabriano Artistico extra white 140# cold press block

It has been cold here this past week.  The snow is melting a little today, which always happens when Lewisburg puts on its Ice Festival.   Actually it was kind of perfect.  The ice sculptures should last longer than usual this year because another cold front is coming tomorrow.

I am painting snow scenes in my warm kitchen,  looking out on the snow.  The sun is shining. 

Life is good.

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Ice Carving, Lewisburg Ice Festival

Ice Carving Sketch

Watercolor on Pentalic watermedia sketch pad. 5"x8"

Tried my hand at plein air painting in 20 degree F temperature. 

The sketching was a little sketchy because I kept my gloves on to start.

I thought the paint would work better because I had a water-filled brush.  The paint was freezing as I tried to apply it to the paper making flat flakes of slush that could be brushed off.  I quit when the paper got too cold to accept any paint at all.

Snowy Hufnagle Park Gazebo, Lewisburg PA

"Snowy Gazebo"
(Sold)

5"x7" watercolor on Fabriano acquarello 140# extra white block

Time is short today so I painted a mini.  My reference photo is from last February.  

The Lewisburg Ice Festival is this weekend and I felt like painting something in 

the spirit of the event.  I think I will have to do a larger version of this when I have more time.

Rooke Chapel #4, Bucknell University (Part 1)

First 2 sessions painting "Rooke Chapel".

I hope to show the completion next Wednesday. 

Preliminary watercolor sketch (1/25/2015) 

in Canson XL Mix Media 7"x10" Sketchbook 

I was trying to figure out the colors of spring using a photo graph I took last month.

There is a light coating of snow in my reference photo.

Oil sketch on gessoed canvas. 12"x16" (1/28/2015)

I used thinned burnt sienna to tone the canvas, sketched the image with a small brush,

and wiped out the highlights with a soft paper towel.  

I am using water-soluble oils. I am slowly getting used to them.

First layer of color. 

I used slightly thicker paint to begin applying colors of the building. 

 A light value has been applied to the lower sky to define the background tree shapes.

Darks have been added to the forward trees and roads. 

Second session - Next layer. (2/4/2015)

I reapplied the brick color to the church, blocked in the background trees, established the weeping cherry tree near the chapel, blocked in some more shadows and foliage. 

Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University #3

"Rooke Chapel" 

8"x8" watercolor on Fluid100 140# cold press

Another view of Rooke Chapel.  This one is as I photographed the building. 

I did not try to paint this one as spring or summer.  

Rooke Chapel #2, Bucknell University

"Rooke Chapel #2"

8"x8" original watercolor on Fluid100 140#Cold Press

The brick University sign looks a bit wonky. In my reference photo, the bottom of the sign is cut of by the highway.   I took the shot from the car, across the highway from Bucknell.  I was stopped at the traffic light.  I liked that the elements are all compressed from this angle.   

Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University #1

"Rooke Chapel #1

Original watercolor on Fluid 100, Cold Press, 8"x8"

I just got this block of paper yesterday.  It seems pretty good.  Does not lift as easily as Arches paper, but I like the size of the block. 

I got a commission to paint Rooke Chapel on the Bucknell campus.  I took a load of photos, but there is snow on the ground and the client would prefer a spring/summer look.  This is the first of several smaller paintings to work out the composition and the color bugs.  I am imagining the trees leafed out.   I did a few tests in my sketchbook but this is the first on "real" paper.  I plan to do another small painting for tomorrow.