Minnehaha Creek Nocturne

As February winds to a close I thought I would add another painting and talk about painting in general. I waited six years before attempting this painting. I did not think I was ready to try painting in the dark. I am glad I waited! I was comfortable with my equipment and surroundings and felt pretty much at ease. I am not afraid of cold weather {it was zero} and have a great light that I use for ice fishing as well as painting.I have great winter clothes and can tolerate it well. The light I use is a strap on headlamp for campers and hikers. The one I have has 3 led lights with a flip down red lens cover that preserves your night vision. I highly recommend  these for painters as they are light weight and leave your hands free. I used a fairly limited pallete on this painting,aliziron red, Paynes grey, yellow ohcre ,Indotherene blue,pthalo green,english red,and cerealian blue.oh and a manganese purple.

    I did not tone the canvas but started right in with the sky and then the background and foreward from there. I also laid in my darks thicker than in a daylight painting.Kinda reversed painting darks light  and lights heavy. i spent 2 hours in the field and 1 hour at home finishing it up. I am very happy with the results although it is not a F.T.Johnson or a Remington it has a nice feel to it. I cant wait to do another! I believe that if you want to try something try it.If it doesnt go well find out why and try again. This is how I taught myself how to paint,one brush stroke at a time.If you have a good feel for nature and sense of how things look than it will help in painting from life. I think that age helps in landscape painting to a certain degree. If you are familiar  with your subject it is easier to paint. Since the beginning of February I have painted 12 of Minnehaha Creek From Minneapolis to Edina and that prepared me for the nocturne. I will share a few of these in my next entry. Until then Happy painting! Bob