With the temperatures below zero and a fierce wind it was a daunting task to get on the bike today. I headed to Park Angrignon and see if there was any ice forming on the pond yet. All bundled up, I pedaled down to the park. about a 30 minutes ride, and found a popular spot just next to the west part of the long, narrow pond. It was a thoroughly trodden area since people were going for walks and stopping to take pictures. The waning light was illuminating some of the trees, with the rest of them in shadow. Thin ice had formed on the pond's surface. As usual, when painting in the cold with salty water, it doesn't dry very fast making the detail work difficult. Next time I might try to use dry, adjacent brushstrokes and avoid any wet wash effect. At any rate, the colours are nice here and the thin ice effect is convincing.
Slightly Frozen Pond, Park Angrignon, watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, December 2022 (No. 3305a)
While making a hasty retreat from the park, this scene caught my eye. The grass was an interesting mix of yellow, orange and green, and the canal had a sapphire-blue hue. It was immensely challenging for a simple painting. Wind was blasting down the canal, and the paint was turning into a mild slush. The new deerskin mitts were keeping my hands toasty warm although I discovered that the mitts have a dark grey dye that can rub off onto the paper. The mitts are also not up to the task of riding a bike, since I could already see wear and tear forming on the palms. I guess these mitts were meant for fashion shows not outdoor work! When the seasons change there is always an adjustment time where I adapt the gear and the painting style. With a long string of freezing days ahead, at least there is ample chance for more practice.
c watercolour 5 x 7" cold press, December 2022 (No. 3306a)
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