September 19, 2016. Oil on canvas. 16 x 20 cm

Russia. Moscow. 蘇茲達爾

I was told that this was autumn, the best season for travelling as it was not cold. The average temperature was around 10-15 degree which was less cold than tropical winter. It was continental climate. Dry. Not much rain. Therefore not as cold as a 15 degree in Hong Kong.

A naive me wore my autumn clothing to Russia. I found out even daytime, the temperature could drop to 6 degree. And it rained, all the time. And the air was always freezing outside houses and car. You cannot leave air conditioned too long.

Our trip was mainly plein air painting tour. While others had surrendered and swapped to sightseeing and shopping I still Insisted to paint outdoor. 

This painting was done near a cold riverside. The trees, water and sky was overwhelming with cool colour. 

I painted badly as I didn’t have adequate warm clothes and my finger didn’t work well. I respected those plein air painters who painted snow scenery in northern countries. That must be a torture.

After this painting I had got a bad flu. The cost was huge since I continued to paint and travel under sickness. And the sickness had last for over 2 weeks. 

But. Again. This was such a memorable painting experience. Under cold air. In the rain. Water droplets on my paint board and canvas.