Plein Air Painting in Greyton

There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.
Norwegian saying

We recently had the pleasure of visiting the overberg region in the Western Cape. We also stayed a few days in Greyton. This village, tucked in a the foot of the Sonderend mountains, is a charming place with an abundance of landscape painting opportunities. 

Needless to say I had every intention of painting en plein air. However our arrival coincided with a cold front bringing snow to the mountains. No matter I thought. As long as the rain kept away I would get on with painting.

Greyton has the feel of an energetic village even though this is mid winter and temperatures are dropping. There is much to see and locals get on with the daily chores of life. It does help that things seem to get going by 10am. A sensible time to start work in winter if you ask me!

There is so much natural beauty to look at. Spring time must be achingly beautiful!

I had my plein air kit although I had not packed the tripod for my pochade box. Trying to save space for the family luggage and dog that came along for the trip. However the pochade box balances nicely on my lap too so there was no problem there. After deciding on a late afternoon session it became painfully clear when my fingers started to seize up that I had not planned for the weather. Like the old Norwegian saying above, I had the wrong clothes for the climate. This coastal boy had forgotten what frost felt like!

Another option is to work indoors looking out of a window. I do not beleive that plein air painting means being uncomfortable in extreme weather unless that is your joy. Plein air is simply about getting your eye to see the truth and then painting that truth as you interpret it. 

Despite the temperature drop I managed to get a decent start to  a painting. I noticed that my paint was not the usual buttery consistencey, but had firmed up. The brush bristles lost some flexibility, in sympathy with my joints, so paint application was more like plastering the board with thick paint.

Greyton Country Road

It is colder than it looks!

Afternoon Light, Greyton

I was pleased with the outcome and the experience. However at 2 degrees celsius my brain reminded me that there a bottle of port indoors crying out for attention. All things considered it would have been rude to ignore its' plight so I decamped for a fireside seat and a glass of that which restores you.

I look forward to visiting this delightful village again - in the summer. Until then Cheers!

Stunning winter scenes at Greyton