While there is not this much snow in November, it is well worth painting snow scenes when the snow is flying. The low light is here in November as are the cold temperatures which affect the colors and how it "feels". In Vermont the low light skims along the ground. In Colorado it is in the middle sky (which is why we can see so far there). In California, the light reflects from the moisture in the atmosphere and is "all over." Emphasize this by using dark, mid-tones or lightest lights in the sky. Most of all record light, which I think of as the color of butter, or your paintings can be "too cold."

I drove by this Vermont Farm in Tunbridge and saw the white buildings with the faded fall cornfield. The corn said fall as well as the muted colors. Being close to winter, the Vermont light is very low.
I painted a very bright painting and then over laid the fall tones. Its the same action nature takes. The plants freeze on the outside and the colors fade from the surface before the whole plant dies and looses its vibrancy.

"First Snow" oil 11"x 14" $550

Signs are here of the first snow and snow is in the rain! Snow is fun to paint because the painting can be done as usual and then lay the snow on the landscape just like nature does.
When the snow gets so deep it covers fences and roads and driveways. Try painting the snow first-thick and heavy paint likereplicates the element it is. Snow is only light as it falls but as it piles up it compresses.

Color, color everywhere and how to paint it? First I underpaint in a warm color. Then paint as you would right over the underpainting and leave some of it showing to give the painting an inner glow. When I let it dry it didn't have the glow of low, reflected light that happens in fall. I added a glaze, like tonalists used to do, but with Indian Gold, a transparent ochre: even over the "white."
Voila! the glow appeared.

Here is a studio painting. Its been a busy summer field painting and I wish I had had time to do this one outdoors too.
I used to practice techniques in my studio to help me paint on location. Now I can blend my studio work with my en plein air.
Alpen glow, back lighting and other effects of light are temporary and darkness is falling. Often the studio is the best place to paint what the memory records in the moment

I painted this group of fledging Great Blue Herons after my week long Green River Raft trip. We watched these young butt chests and otherwise jump around like playful siblings. I have seen birds dance but play?
In my oil painting I wanted to show their motion.
The photo is washed out (film cannot capture all the colors I paint with) but the cobble bar, painted with short repetitive brush strokes, give the motion I was seeking.

Balletto's Winery oil 11"x 14" (Demo canvases are offered at $200)

Balletto's Winery was a beautiful place to outdoor oil paint. I was doing a demo of an oak tree and at this stage the participants all asked me to STOP. They liked the image as is and so do I. But I was the last to know because I had my mind set on one intent. What I thought I was demoing and what got painted were two different things. its a good lesson to remember and trust your friends!