*please click the images to enlarge*
Had a great meeting with Tag Galyean last week. He assembled all the trades and crafts to talk vision and to share views. He asked me to come and show sketches. He is always about team – this project has one.
We were pounded by some snow. I was about to put off going (due to I-70 corridor). In talking to the property, I had learned that they had gotten lots of snow – so I had to go, even if it was a day late.
February 5, 2008
I got here in time to do a small sunset along the river. Great color, red rocks and a blanket of snow. May have the large winter scene right off the bat. We will see how long I can last – its cold! So much color in winter!
"Sunset Snow" 7×8
February 6, 2008
14 degrees and its cold. 7:22 AM Cloudy and no morning glow on the Palisade. I painted anyway. It took four warm-up trips in the truck. There were these soft wonderful colors in the sky (touches of turquoise and butter) – and it was constant and held on through the painting. The Palisade is a cold dark silhouette looming over a snow laden valley. I wanted snow and I got it (ouch)! Speaking of the snow, My house keeper has lived here 8 years and has never seen it last like this one. So, mother nature has given me a rare winter to depict (turns out more last big snow like this one was in 1959). Temp was 16 degrees at the completion of the morning sketch.
"Winter Palisade" 6×12
I have returned to the same spot as first night painting. There is a classic winter in Colorado coloration in this view. There is perhaps more color to paint in winter than at any other time of year – especially if you can get along the river as the willows are on fire. Every color from blackish purple, Indian red, red oxide, cadmium red, orange & yellow, and peach. Water is dark – the reflections are easily seen both the warm and the cool. The snow is the best part. Middle ground is usually darker so the lights of snow and blue of sky just pop. I love the fully spectrum of cool and warm in the snow – from purples to buttery yellows. I got here much earlier today to detail a better start for a 9×12 sketch.
"Colors of Winter" 9×12
February 7, 2008
Mornings have been cold and grey. Two days without first light on the Palisade. As the day unwinds there is some better light & by evening some great color. Really cold for the most part today, so, I spend some time on some touch-ups.
February 8, 2009
Finally – got a good sunrise today. Classic color in the hay meadow today. Clear and warm, plan to paint hard to get some studies in.
Went down next to river by the bridge. No leaves offer a view of the palisade. I like the willows and the stream color and will paint the following view…
"Winter Willows" 8×10
Additional sketches from the day were:
"Winter Light" 7×8
"Canyon Road" 7×8
Under 18, it reads: Foreground should go shadow with diagonal silhouette in the tree line. Snow on the Palisade is still holding on good – question will be the setting light shadows and highlights.
February 9, 2008
Caught a very nice sunset today. With yesterdays production weather, it may be good to leave tomorrow and rest up for a week of larger summer production.
Items of Note: saw a bald eagle couple yesterday. They gave a nice show. Saw some wild turkeys near river. The wildest thing out here was the melting snow and the muddy road – slick at times!
"First Light on the Canyon" 6×12
This mornings study was a simple scene with great light in this middle area over the tree tops.
"Winter Pallette of the Dolores" 32×40