Here in Eastern Idaho we have been the benefactors of a very mild winter this season, and with the addition of the “Little Bus that Can” winter plein air painting is underway. Today is overcast and a cold North wind is keeping our temperature below freezing, but we are still seasonally warm for this time of year. Although we are still in our experimental stages of using the bus, and trying to find our best practices, Kara was able to paint from the warm comfort of the bus, while I braved the outdoor temps. Our painting spot is a scenic pullout at the Fall River Bridge just north of Chester, Idaho. The Fall River originates deep in Yellowstone Park and is famous for its fly fishing and scenic falls. But today our subjects are the black craggy lava rock banks which contrast with the white drifts of snow and the bright colors of the yellow, orange and red willow bark along the banks.
I started with some thumbnail sketches and thought I had found a good composition to work with. But, after I put paint on the canvas I soon realized how difficult this painting was going to be. I realized that our eyes pick up so much information about light and dark values that it is hard to differentiate the many layers of subtle changes among the bare willows. So, I mudded my way through and ended up with a painting that wasn’t bad.
I boarded the bus to warm up and check in on Kara’s progress. I was impressed by her composition choice whereas she cropped in on closer subject matter. We talked a little about the challenges we faced and both felt this was a much more difficult area than we had anticipated. Although it was hard, I feel this trip was a huge success, if it was easy we wouldn’t learn anything.