Another week goes by.... Days 186 - 193

 Days 186 and 187 where a little cool, cloudy and grey.  Not my favorite light, but over the duration of this project, I have learned to appreciate and I realize that clouds are so great on moody days.



The sun was back out on Day 188. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon. I rode over to a friend's farm with the intent of painting a field of yellow bitterweed. Instead, I wound up painting their small fishing boat. Loved the contrast of the boat edges, the water and the reeds growing on the bank.

On Day 189, I worked on studying the light on Al's old work trailer. There was so much to work with  - from the perspective,  to the rust, to the shadows, to the chrome hubcap on the spare tire. Incorporating more difficult objects in my studies to hopefully push myself a little farther.



Day 190 was a late afternoon painting, incorporating lovely late afternoon light. The light was really golden on the ground, but I convinced myself that it really wasn't. The result was a painting that was overall too cool. Still working on trying to trust my visual instincts.

 We have a heard of charolais cows just up the road. I did some studies of them earlier this winter, but on the morning of Day 191, they were bathed in glowing, early morning light. I grabbed my easel praying they would still be there when I got back. Thankfully they were and this heifer laid still long enough for me to study her - even as the road graders drove by.

The morning of Day 192 was my only opportunity for painting that day. I was not in the mood, I was overwhelmed with obligations and I couldn't find anything interesting to paint. Settled on our neighbor's barn that has also frequented my paintings. The morning backlight drew me to it and despite my foul mood, I think this is the first time I actually got the backlighting right.

Day 193 was another great afternoon of lovely, late day light. Stayed in the front yard and did a simple study of the river birth and cast shadows. Bringing my knife back a little more these past few days and I like it.