One of the best things about living in a small village, in the countryside, is the abundance of animal life. I’ve gotten a lot of pleasure watching the cows, sheep and birds around here. From time to time I’ve been blessed to have either the cows or the sheep grazing in a field in what amounts to the backyard here. It’s lambing season, so having a few little lambs romping around is endlessly entertaining. Better than tv, by a long stretch. I mean, when they aren’t actually up to mischief or joyfully chasing each other around, they are usually snuggling up together or otherwise napping. And when at rest they are the epitome of cuteness.
I’ve been itching for some more plein-air painting since my last go at it. Time and overall cruddy weather has opposed me on most of the few occasions I might’ve had to do it, though.
So a few days ago I sat to work, indoors. I was laying out my paint to do some work on another landscape I had started outdoors but am finishing indoors, when I noticed a few of the lambs sleeping, easily visible from my 2nd-story studio window. I figured I might not have another opportunity like this so I grabbed a blank board I’d prepared earlier and painted like mad, hoping the lamb would stick around long enough. Thankfully he was enjoying his rest and did indeed stay put for a very fast painting session. This was 90 minutes, tops, oils on extremely heavy watercolor paper, 8x10”.
Now isn’t that just precious?
It should be noted that since I painted this piece entirely indoors, it hardly qualifies as plein-air. Really I guess it’s simply a life-study.
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