SUE EDMONDSON likes to paint the “feeling” of snow and that means getting in amongst it. She’s no stranger to colder climes being an avid ski tourer and snow camper. 

“The best painters work on site” she says. “That way it’s easier to capture the cold and sometimes wild sensations of winter in the Snowy Mountains.” 

Always carrying a sketchbook and only ever working from her own personal photographs, she works from the sketch and uses the photos later as a memory jogger.

“Once under way I discard the photos and let the painting develop in its own way. It’s the feeling and impression that counts.”

“Snow is never just white. It contains many colours such as blue, yellow and purple. Dusk and dawn snow scenes have some of the most beautiful pink hues also.”

Beginning with a dark base and then building up the layers with white and added colours she creates a powerful intensity in her paintings.

“Sometimes I will drag a small amount of white over a protruding rock for example to capture the glint of the sun. This is best done when the under layers have dried. It’s an effective technique for oil painting.

Being out there in the wilderness gives me the feeling of being in tune with the Earth and nature. I just love it!”

Sue Edmondson pictured above.

ALAN GROSVENOR has been a successful professional artist specializing in Snowy Mountain scenes for about fifty years now and snow is a major component of much of his work. 

“The important thing to remember about snow is that it is water based. And like water, snow reflects all the other colours around it.

I like to first cover the canvas (or board) with artist’s medium then mix the paint on the canvas as I build up my picture. With experience, (and Alan certainly has that) you’ll find the paint will mix and flow and slip around the canvas. It’s wonderful!

I always remember Lloyd Rees stating how he was once extremely frustrated with the progress of a painting when his daughter called him for lunch and in his frustration he poured a jar of artist’s medium all over the painting as it stood vertically on the easel. I recommend all frustrated artists try this. It works!”

Alan Grosvenor pictured above.

See more of Alan’s work on his website: www.alangrosvenor.com

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