• Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial
Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial

Plein Air Painting in Greyton

13/7/2014

Comments

 
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.
Picture
Greyton Country Road
Picture
It is colder than it looks!
Picture
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!
Picture
Stunning winter scenes at Greyton

Comments
    FREE Book
    Picture

    Color Tips for Artists:
    ​Free
    Picture

    Book Bundle Special
    See More
    Picture

    Author

    Malcolm Dewey: Artist. Country: South Africa
    View Portfolio:

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Art Business
    Artist Notes
    Books Worth Every Dime!
    Its An Artists Life
    Musings
    News
    Painting Course
    Painting Demonstration
    Painting Tips
    Podcasts
    Popular Posts Archive
    Reviews


    Picture

    Picture

    Visit Malcolm Dewey Fine Art's profile on Pinterest.

    FREE
    ​GUIDE

    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Picture

Studio:  Troon Crescent, Port Alfred, South Africa
​Malcolm Dewey Fine Art is committed to top quality art, excellent educational material and having a great time! To back that up all works sold come with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Simply return the work, undamaged, within 30 days. Returns at purchaser expense. All transaction are protected by third party bank-level encryption to keep your information safe. Plus your email address is safe. No spam - ever!

​Copyright 2010-2020: Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
​
Picture
30 Day Money Back
Picture
Secure Transactions
Picture
Picture
No Spam Ever!
Photos used under Creative Commons from maHidoodi, buggolo, Fabio Téllez
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial