RADIANT SUNRISE WITH OIL & PASTEL

We become painters at some deep level not out of a love of images. I think, at some point, we fall in love with our chosen medium. We seem to spend our lives trying to master it. 

Trying to express the blinding radiance of the morning sun with just yellow & green, oil turpentine on paper.

My current favorite is to use pastel over my oil sketch. Pastel is fast & gives me that bit of texture from the paper to convey the meadow.  

By brushing the pastel over with turpentine, I dont have to use any fixative.

MOURNING FULL MOON

Last week's full moon, known as the mourning moon appeared in all its spherical glory. It's the last full moon before Winter Solstice. It's pure magic to be able to catch the moon sets before 7AM on the western horizon. At the same time, the sun rises from the east, on the other side of my studio. The sky was very clear, so I was able to capture both the sunrise & moon set.

full moon, 6:30AM

moon setting 6:45AM

pink sunrise, 6:45AM

SUNRISE

The upside to our shorter days is to watch the sun rise over the horizon at 7am, rather than 5am!

WINTER BREAK

It's been one of those odd winter, mild days in between a few chilly days. After our recent snowfall, it's a real treat to be able to paint en plein air, outdoor.