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plein air set up for snow painting

Capturing Winter en Plein Air

Some of the most inspirational paintings I’ve ever seen have been paintings that made me want to grab a heavy coat, scarf, and gloves and view them while sipping some hot chocolate. I have such fond memories of snow covered landscapes as a kid that I just can’t help but try to relive those experiences when we get a little snow.

Here in NC, we don’t get to see substantial snowfall, so, when the opportunity arises…or falls, I try to make it a point to grab the plein air painting gear, bundle up, and hit the snow!

Here’s a few of the plein air paintings that I managed to get completed during our time of snow:

plein air painting of a creek in the snow by North Carolina artist Jeremy Sams
Creekside Park snow study 8×10 acrylic

 

plein air painting of fallen trees in snow by North Carolina artist Jeremy Sams
Fallen trees in snow 10×8 acrylic

I tried looking in the not so obvious places for subject matter with this painting. Sometimes, your best paintings are the ones that you force yourself to look beyond your usual compositions.

 

plein air set up for snow painting
plein air set up for snow painting

This was a particularly cold day. I experimented with my acrylic paints by adding antifreeze to my water that I wash my brushes out and thin my paint with. It actually turned out nice…no frozen water, but the paint did get a little “pastey”. However, some good ol’ Golden Open gel medium solved that problem.

creek study plein air painting by North Carolina artist Jeremy Sams
Creek study in snow 8×10 acrylic
Plein air painting at night nocturne looking down David St. by North Carolina artist Jeremy Sams
Plein air nocturne…looking down David St.

I love the lights on a snow covered night. It was terribly cold, but totally worth it.

nocturne plein air painting in snow by North Carolina artist Jeremy Sams
“This Little Light of Mine” 8×10 acrylic

 

plein air painting a red barn in the snow by North Carolina artist Jeremy Sams
Plein air set up at the Farlow barn

 

Plein air painting of the Farlow barn in the snow by North Carolina artist Jeremy Sams
Plein air painting of the Farlow barn in the snow 9×12 acrylic

 

If you’re interested in any of the above paintings, feel free to contact me for pricing and availability.