pochade update..still at 'em

[sundiver]

We've has a very cold winter so I haven't been able to spend much time eben in the car painting- would have to leave the engine running in -40 windchill weather.
But I have another half-dozen little sketches. Unfortunately, when it's mild enough to do them, it's also dark and gloomy with little color or contrast.
The first 4 are 20-30 minutes, 5x7 oil pastels. Nothing special, but at least I did them.
I thought I'd try one at night, in the rain.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2004/6393-nightinRothesay.jpg
Sketched these smelt-shacks on the river while husband and daughter were being dragged around same river behind a traction kite.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2004/6393-icefishingshacks.jpg
Daughter and I sketched together by the river. The snow had melted but river was frozen, and it was a c-c-cold day.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2004/6393-meenanscoveJan.jpg
while waiting for a carload of kids to go through the local zoo
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2004/6393-bythezoo.jpg
Oops, forgot about this one...frustrated by earlier sketching attempts being thwarted, I sat in the driveway and sketched the front deck! There are often deer back there among the trees.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2004/6393-frontofhouse.jpg
to be continued....

[sundiver]

These two were done yesterday in a moving car. It was 1 1/2 hours on a highway which has nothing but trees, hills, rocks, and maybe a moose. So the terrain is very similar all the way and it's not difficult to capture the general essence of the area.Both 5x7 o.p.
First one, on the way , mid-morning in rain containing a hint of snow, a bit of slush on the road.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2004/6393-tofredericton.jpg
On the way home, mid-afternoon in fairly heavy snowfall. Visibility was getting worse and the road more snow-packed as we went along. But the car was warm and we didn't hit a moose!:)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Feb-2004/6393-fromfredericton.jpg
Thanks for looking! My total is now 45 plein airs.

[gallery318]

I really enjoy seeing these. I don't really have much experience with oil pastel. You do use a tinted paper, no? My oil pastels on white paper look weak.

I love the colors you achieved in the "outdoor deck" piece.

WOW... what a nice collection you have now. Lovely! :clap:

[JamieWG]

Wendy, I admire your perseverence! Also, you capture so many different kinds of scenes under such varied conditions. Nothing seems to deter you! I especially like the atmosphere of your evening scene, and also the one by the water with the lamp post---an unusual theme.

Jamie

[sundiver]

Thank you, Kathleen and Jamie!:)
Kathleen, I usually use watercolor paper, which needs to be sealed for oil pastels, so I prime it with gesso mixed with pumice gel and tint the stuff with acrylics. I dislike working on white paper.
O.P.s are convenient for plein air sketches because they are dry and not dusty; very little chance of messy accidents.

[blondheim12]

These are so lovely. Thanks for sharing them.
Love,
Linda

[gallery318]

Sundiver---thanks for the description of your paper preparation for oil pastels. They sure look fun, and I would like to work with them, as they are easy to carry around.

[Phyllis Rennie]

Good job!

Do I understand correctly that the last two are not exactly one scene but rather an impression of the landscape moving past? Cool.