Friday, April 8, 2016 - scouting and plein air painting

Today's weather: extremely windy, cold, snowy, sunny, snowy and snowier!!!  Drove through snow squalls most of the afternoon. Did tons of reconnoitering. There is no shortage of cool trees. Mission accomplished - to see the "bones" of the landscape before leaf out. 

The Sandhill Wildlife refuge officially opens Sunday, April 17th. It's a hidden gem. Looking forward to scouting some painting sights there, too.

Photos from today: a portage road off County Z, the Wisconsin River at Firemens Memorial Park, County Z. Also scouted the wildlife refuge, Highways 54, 173, 80, GG, X, the ATV park and points in between. 

Watched the sunset from Firemans Park to see its effect on the scene. Did a drawing of the shoreline from the parking lot.

Getting Ready!

Quarter inch MDF for painting panels. I have 1/4 size, 1/2 size and full size panels. I'm in the process of gessoing all the panels. I'll start my plein air painting by using the 1/4 size panels. The small studies will help me get a feel for composition and color. Then I'll graduate to 1/2 size panels once I've got a good idea of the subject and composition. 

Each panel will have both sides and four edges painted with gesso to seal them from any moisture. 

Snow event postpones start!

Our mercurial Wisconsin spring weather is not creating favorable conditions for the start of the scouting/plein air painting trip I had planned for March 25 & 26. Predictions are for 8 inches of snow followed by some rain. Hoping to start next week but will watch the weather forecasts closely!

Weather permitting, first plein air date: March 25-26

I hope to paint in the late afternoon, early evening March 25, 2016 and again in the morning, March 26th. These plein air studies will be small oil paintings done on location. I will scout locations in the early afternoon and post directions if you want to paint or watch.

Jan Norsetter painting on a country road in Ireland, October 2015.