Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Norman Road, Belvedere, 12" x 10", Oil on Canvas Board, 2009

It started snowing on Sunday night just before I left church and it has only stopped snowing this morning. We don't always have this sort of snow in London so I decided to take the opportunity to paint a snow scene on the spot, something I have never done before. The only other time I attempted a snow scene, I only did a sketch, then took pictures and worked it out in the studio.





But today it was fun! Not too cold at the start as I was well geared up but after a while the numbness on my fingers started to ooze in and that was it!




I have worked on a cotton canvas stuck onto MDF board, in an Alla Prima technique. I used titanium white(Alkyd), lemon yellow, cadmium yellow light, cadmium red, alizarin crimson, viridian Green and Ultramarine blue.

36 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful job Banji! One day I want to try plein air like the big guys and gals. Kudos to your photojournalist too. I've noticed they always are able to capture you are your best. :o)

Edward Burton said...

BEAUTIFUL painting, Adebanji!! Now that's dedication!

artbyakiko said...

Beautiful painting! Adebanji you are my inspiration.

Remi, United Kingdom said...

Hey.. awesome.. beautiful paintings... my gosh even in the snow you paint.. now if that is not dedication I don't know what else is.. talking about dedication I better go catch up on writing..

Have a great week ahead.. and keep painting..

much love

adebanji said...

Sheila-Go for it! The experience of plein air is great, sometimes I pass through places and scenes and I just immagine myself painting but never really get the time. But today I wan't gonna let that pass me by (I had to change my plans), so set a date and give it a go. Kevin Macpherson's book on "landscape painting Inside & Out" has been my inspiration and not to forget Richard Schmids "Alla Prima- Everything I know about painting"

With the photo journalism, sometimes I just think I am lucky with the people I ask because none of them have refused and they all seem to do a good job!

Edward- Thanks!

Akiko-awwwwwh thanks!

Remi-Thanks Remi!- I guess it passion more than dedication. God bless- Keep the pen flowing too!

James Parker said...

I'm still snowed by Josh and his Victorian. But this piece is so nice...I'm beginning to think there is no limit to your ability, Banji.

adebanji said...

Thanks James! There is one thing that helps me sometimes its just being a child again and having fun.

When we were smaller we feared nothing much, but would try anything...even if people would laugh or think we were fools-that's the way I feel our lives should remain- soemtimes maturity dwarfs us and childlikeness liberates us into adventures!

John Vander Stelt said...

Nice job! We have LOTS and LOTS of snow. Glad you got a little to paint. I've been painting snow paintings as well. Keep up the good work.

adebanji said...

Thanks John! You know more about this snow business than I do, so I am encouraged by your comments!

Johnnie Sielbeck said...

Found your site by way of Karin Jurick's Different Strokes blog - nice drawing, and I really like this plein air painting. Enjoy the snow!

Carol Horzempa said...

Wow, your painting looks like my neighborhood with all the snow! I like how you listed the colors. I also have the same two books that l look at daily. My Allia Prima book is smeared with paint and falling apart.

I'm not brave enough to go out and paint in 5 degrees weather but I have some good views from my windows. You are a source of inspiration Adebanji!

adebanji said...

Thanks Johnnie!

Thanks Carol! Go for it! the views from windows are also great as you won't have to paint in the cold! Its interesting to hear yur Alla Prima book is falling apart cos that's the way a good book should be- sometimes if that is not the case we may not be making the best use of the book!

Isabel said...

loved to see the diferent stokes you used to paint this scene, I suppose its a bit like painting sand in the desert at first people just assumed that its one color (white for your snow, yellow for the sand) and when you're actually painting there are infinity of colors that can be found and added, great to see you painting as well

Making A Mark said...

Good for you - you're getting a mention on Sunday! I knew somebody would be making use of that beautiful light yesterday - but the pavements were lethal over this side of the river.

adebanji said...

Thanks Isabel! The real painting actually has so many colours in the white but I couldn't get it right with my camera and computer- it was a constant struggle but you are right about the desert thing- This is what makes me like painting!

Great to see you noticed the strokes too!I used a lot of impasto to depict texture, but in some places I over did it.....

adebanji said...

Thanks A MILLION Katherine! It was actually the light that made me go out, it was brilliant! Even today looks great but I can't change my plans today but if the snow continues I'll definetly have another go!

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

Paint in the snow?
Thats dedication!
Very nice painting, beautiful.
In the 70th in southern California, dont hate me...

Dean H. said...

Beautiful job, Adebanji! You are inspiring this ol' painter to try plein air once more...it has been a long while.

adebanji said...

Irit-yes I always think it is passion more than dedication! Cheers!

Dean- Go for it!This is what painting is all about - doing it right there and then- I see no other joy of celebrating with Gods marvelouus creation, than to experience it out there for oneself!

Fito said...

Excellent tecnic, grat squetch!

adebanji said...

Thanks Fito!

Laura Frankstone said...

Adebanji, not only are you a wonderful artist, you seem like a really nice guy. This is a fantastic plein air painting!

Robin Weiss said...

Have to add my congrats on this masterful plein air painting....really nice!!

adebanji said...

Thanks Laureline, thats so pleasant!

Thanks Robin!

Larry said...

Great Job!

adebanji said...

Thanks Larry!

Sharon said...

What a wonderful, inspiring blog, my first visit. Thanks for showing works in progress, listing colors used, links etc. There's an energetic, enthusiastic feeling here!

adebanji said...

Thanks Sharon! I happy you've taken time to visit! Hope to keep that vibe flowing!!

Robyn Sinclair said...

Your work is always thrilling and awesome and this is no exception. Congratulations, Adebanji.

Edcooper_art said...

Hi Adebanji,

Great to see you out n about.

It been a while since I ventured out with the easle....i had been a bit put off by the cold!

Speaking of easles!...nice set up!...what sort of easle is that? it looks pretty portable!

nice to see you getting so much great feedback!

adebanji said...

Thanks Robyn!!!

adebanji said...

Thanks Ed, the feedback has really helped me alot!!!

The Easel I am using here is the Tweed Sketch Box Easel (Winsor and Newton). It is handcrafted from seasoned Beechwood and is ideal for both studiowork and painting on location. The easel has been designed to fold down to a box shape and has adjustable shoulder straps for backpacking. It weighs 5.1kg without any stuff in it!

Theresa Rankin said...

You are an incredible talent,you have my respect and admiration!

adebanji said...

Thanks ever so much Theresa!

Unknown said...

I am very impressed, Adebanji, by your lovely snowscene and your bravery in painting outside in our recent cold weather. You have made a really good job of this. I was struck at how your painting reminded me of something else ... a Monet I thought and discovered I was right. If you get a chance do Google 'Monet Snow Scene at Argenteuil' - I hope you feel extra encouraged being compared to one of the Great Masters. I did post this before, but added a link to a copy of the painting and think that this might be why the post was refused.
Best wishes
Shirley, London E17

adebanji said...

Thanks ever so much Shirley, I'll google this and check it out because I really feel all these comments have a strong motivational push and I am really making the most of them.

Thanks once agian, I wonder how the comment was refused before but thank God I am getting it now, I am just going to have to include at least one plein air into my week!