Have you ever thought about plein air painting in the snow? It
might sound challenging, but it's actually very rewarding and enjoyable.
When snow falls, you just have to go out and capture the wonderful
effects it has on the land. Winter landscapes are often characterised by
long, dark shadow and a variety of brilliant colours. A blanket of snow
can work wonders in completely transforming a scene into something
completely new. So here are some tips to help you capture some winter
magic.
Combat the cold
It's very important to keep warm
while you work in the cold. This is because you're going to be much more
motivated, focused and productive when you're warm. To combat the cold,
wear several layers of clothing and have a hot drink in a thermos flask
with you. Don't expose your painting hand to the elements - wear a
woollen sock on your painting hand. Thread the tail through the sock and
hold the brush in your covered bare hand. Keep your feet warm by
standing on a bare bit of ground or bring a mat with you and stand on
that instead.
Avoid windy days
As mentioned previously, you
can work your way round the cold. The most problematic part of winter
weather is definitely the wind. Even in summer, the wind can be a
hindrance to plein air painting. When it's winter, it's going to hinder
your painting and it's going to make it seem a lot colder than what it
actually is. It's best to avoid wind altogether if you can. If you do
find yourself fighting the wind, use an umbrella to try to block it from
your painting.
Take your time
Unfortunately, snow melts.
Many places are lucky to get any snow at all and when they do, it seems
to melt away as quickly as it came. However, this doesn't mean you
should rush to capture a winter landscape even if you're racing against
time. Take some time to appreciate the details and beauty of the winter
landscape before you. Take your time when capturing these in your
painting. An incomplete painting that you can finish at home is better
than a rushed and messy one.
Take breaks
If you find that
you can't handle the weather, simply take a break whenever you need to.
Paint for 10-15 minutes or so then head back to your car, turn the
engine on and warm yourself up for a bit. Have a hot drink and enjoy the
break. Then head back and work on your painting for another 10-15
minutes and keep the cycle going. It might take you longer than if you
were doing your painting in a single sitting, but it's better than
getting overcome by the cold.
These are just a few basic tips to
get you started on plein air painting in the snow. If you have any more
tips you'd like to share, please do feel free to share them.
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