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Winter Plein Air Challenge #1

Gray day elevator
Yeah, I did it! A friend and I found a practical way to plein air paint in the cold of winter. There is a grain elevator close by that has a parking lot across the street from it. We each parked our cars as to not block the others view and happily painted away for two and a half hours. I worked from the drivers seat with my pochade box balanced on my knees and the cup holders and placed my pastels on the console between the seats. I dressed for the cold but sometimes my toes and fingers would need to be revived, so I would run the engine briefly. This is my first plien air landscape in pastels and my first winter excursion. My friend and I debated whether it was still "plein air" if we weren't directly battling the elements. I suppose that could be up for discussion. This method allowed me to paint for 2 hours on a very cold and gray day. Standing at the easel outside I don't think I would have lasted 30 minutes. The search is on now for more great scenes from the windsheild.






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