Tuesday, February 12, 2008

"A Frozen February Day" 10" x 12" O/P

This piece was painted on my usual Masonite panel, gessoed and a final coat of Colourfix Primer. For this particular painting the Colourfix was tinted with a warm off white colour (beige, if you will). Not very exciting by itself but seemed to suite the scene.

I must mention that my panels are pre-coated before taking them out painting. I prepare a number of panels of different sizes and colours well in advance of the painting trip. I usually select three or four different sizes and colours so that I have a choice of size and colour at the painting site. This was a lesson learned the hard way.

I used to prime my support or canvas on site with acrylic (water) before painting . This works well in the warmer weather and in some cases I will still use this method. The first time that I tried this during the winter , I discovered that the colour wash froze to the support before it dried. ( What was I thinking about ?) It is impossible to apply oil paint to a frosted frozen surface. Lesson learned.

The colours for this painting are my usual limited palette. Little medium was used until the final stages of the painting.

'til next

6 comments:

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Hi Frank,
I haven´t commented for some time. Your winter paintings are so wonderful, great color mood and energetic brushwork.
It is a delight to look at them.
Cheers from Vienna
Nue

Frank A. said...

Nue..Always reassuring to hear your comments. Thanks for them and for dropping in.
I am happy that the winter paintings pleased you.

All the best from Canada.. : )

Unknown said...

Hey Frank,

As always, love your work. I admire how you can make a winter scene look warm.

Now, as it's snowing again, and colder than a witch's tit in a snowbank...let's pray for spring.

By the way, nice to see your new blog banner and profile picture.

Be cool.

Frank A. said...

Jane, thanks for stopping by and for your compliment..I have been reading your blog and sounds as though you guys are really busy. Do not know how you find time to paint.

" Now, as it's snowing again, and colder than a witch's tit in a snowbank...let's pray for spring."

..Now, that is cold..I am thinking I should be praying for "summer". : )

"By the way, nice to see your new blog banner and profile picture."

Thanks, I thought that the thing was looking a little dull and needed some sparking up.

Take care..

Jack Riddle said...

You've really nailed winter and plein air, no less! Wish I could get out in it--too damn cold. Great brushwork and wonderful low light colors.

Frank A. said...

Thanks Jack. Nice to have you drop by.
I checked out your blog and found it very entertaining. A nice variety of "work" made it all the more interesting as well. I shall return... : )

Hey, sometimes the cold can be beaten by painting (small) from inside the car. : )

Take care..