"Grand Red Roof" by Beth Bathe

"Grand Red Roof", 9 x 12, oil on panel, en plein air

Sunday I went in search of some of the last snow in the fields. This grand barn with it's red roof is a wonderful example of the beautiful Amish farms here in Lancaster County. It was a cold brisk day, but very peaceful. While painting the only sound I cold hear was the sound of the whistling wind and the clip clop of the hooves from Amish buggies, so peaceful.

"Brandywine Brook" by Beth Bathe

"Brandywine Brook", 9" x 12", oil on panel

In preparation of the Chaddsford Historical Society Plein Air Paint Out this coming weekend, I decided I need to get out and paint snow, bare trees and water. Here is all three, on yes and some geese too!

So what did I learn...
Baby it's cold outside. Snow is harder than you think. Have to consider warm and cool shadows. Bare trees are HARD...get enough detail without going crazy. And of course water, I think I am getting the hang of that one!

"Blue Doors" by Beth Bathe

"Blue Doors", 9" x 12", oil on panel

I have a lot of interest in old abandoned buildings. Here is a set a doors from an old factory. The patina on the blue doors with a touch of warm orange showing was a photographer and painters dream! Also had fun with the palette knife on the concrete walls

"Rosy Reflections" by Beth Bathe

"Rosy Reflections", 24/30, 9 x 12, oil on canvas

Baby it's cold outside. The high in Lancaster PA, was 17 degrees. We have plenty of beautiful white snow on the ground. I would love to go outside and do some plein air painting! I did go out yesterday afternoon and this morning to get some photo references of the countryside, and brrrr, it was COLD. I love the reflections of the sky in this creek, it was clouding up and the sky was had a warm rosy glow.