Plein Air Painting
River “Ill” in Autumn
Tschagguns, Montafon, 2025
River “Ill” in Autumn - Tschagguns, Montafon, 2025
As the mountain railways are beginning to close down their operation to transition to winter season, I had to look for another subject to paint. Luckily, not far from where I live, a beautiful river is located. The so called "Ill". It originates at the glaciers of Piz Buin and ends in the River "Rhein".
We walked along the River for about 15 min to find the perfect spot for the day. At first we even had sunshine and it was kind of warm. But mid painting session it became so cold that I've started shivering. It's a wonder that I was able to keep my brush under control.
Unfortunately I had to rush through the Plants and Trees. I couldn't take it any longer. This is probably the reason why I was able to finish the painting in about 1 hour and 45 min. New personal Record! haha
Nevertheless, I think it turned out quite nicely.
Zimba
View from Fritzensee, Bartholomäberg, 2025
Zimba - View from Fritzensee, Bartholomäberg, 2025
This time we journeyed to Fritzensee on Bartholomäberg in Montafon.
From there you have a beautiful view of the Zimba, 2643 m with the small but lovely Fritzensee in the forefront and charming traditional cabins.
The Painting took me again about two hours to complete. Taking more time almost doesn't make any sense, because things are shifting so quickly that you stand in front of a totally different scene hour by hour. I find two hours is about the sweetspot. Depending on atmospheric conditions.
That is the challenge of plein air painting, but also one thing that makes it so much fun. There is lots to learn from it. It might be intimidating at first, but I'd recommend it to everyone who wants to further their painting and observational skills.
If you're wondering about the weird imprimatura layer. It's the result of scraping away an old painting that I wasn't satisfied with. I knew I could do better and just erased it from existence.
Sometimes you have to take drastic measures to move on in Life. No growth without loss.
Vallüla
View from Nova, 2025
Vallüla - View from Nova, 2025
I finally got to go on another painting trip. This time, we went to Gaschurn and up to the mountain “Nova” with the "Versettla Bahn". From there we had an awesome view of that days subject, Vallüla, 2813 m.
Another very interesting mountain to paint. I couldn't have hoped for a better spot than the one I found that day. It provided me with a few layers inbetween me and the peak. Every layer gifting me it's beautiful color variations which made for a gorgeous play of color contrast in hue and temperature. The three small trees in the front were the icing on the cake, perfectly situated in the composition as well.
What a wonderful day that was. Topped only by having my son and wife with me. My wife is the one who films me on these trips and also edits the videos afterwards. She is such a huge blessing and a great help. My son, who turned two last month, accompanied us for the fourth time this day.
He's such a patient fellow. But he was so active around us, that painting and filming was quite the challenge haha.
Piz Buin
View from Ochsental, Silvretta, 2025
Piz Buin - View from Ochsental, Silvretta 2025
For my last painting of this summer vacation, I got to paint the truly majestic Piz Buin (3312 m).
The highest peak of the Silvretta Mountain Range and the highest peak of Vorarlberg. What a magnificent motive!
It's been so much fun to paint that Scene and I got to meet a few lovely people. I will certainly make my way up there again. Unfortunately it's so expensive.
I can see some improvement in my technique after all of these painting sessions in the outdoors. Love that! :) This alone makes it all worth it. The effort, the time, the money, I'd say was well spent.
Mittagsjoch
View from Kristberg, 2025
Mittagsjoch - View from Wildried, Kristberg, 2025
Plein Air Painting Process of "Mittagsjoch" (2362 m) viewed from Wildried, Kristberg.
On that day I've been gifted with an incredibly picturesque scene.
The characteristic Mittagsjoch framed by a wall of trees and the gorgeous uphill moor in the front, with it's colorful grasses and plants.
The Wildried moor is one of the highest uphill moors of all of europe and one of the last. It is a sight to behold, if you get the chance to visit the Kristberg in Silbertal.
Drei Türme
View from Tobelsee, 2025
Drei Türme - View from Tobelsee, 2025
Let me share with you an amazing day that I had, painting the "Drei Türme (2830 m) again.
This time, from the incredible Tobelsee, in Montafon. If you ever visit this Region, I highly recommend you go up there. The View is breathtakingly beautiful.
Getting to paint at such places humbles me to the core. I'm so grateful to live here.
The painting took me about three hours this time. I had some struggles here and there. Especially with getting a really bad sunburn. But I enjoyed every minute of that painting session. Plein Air Painting could be my new passion. I got a lot to learn still though haha.
Madrisa
View from Gargellen, 2025
Madrisa - View from Gargellen, 2025
Plein Air Painting Process Video of "Madrisa" (2770 m), from Gargellen in Montafon.
That mountain intrigued me with it's unique shape, rugged appearance and small plateaus. The composition is quite unusual, but I wanted to highlight the mountains structure.
Lünerseealpe
View from Lünersee, 2025
Lünerseealpe - View from Lünersee, 2025
Another day another plein air painting.
This time, I've visited the beautiful "Lünersee", (ca 1970 m) to paint the "Lünersee Alpe".
In my opinion, this was the most interesting subject to paint up there. At least I thought so that day.
This time, it took me twice as long to finish the painting. Not only because the subject matter was difficult to get right. But also because of the many tourists that came up close to take a look. That is absolutely fine to do. But it made me so nervous, that I couldn't concentrate properly. The struggles you have as an introvert haha. They gave me some nice comments though, which was very encouraging to hear. so feel free to take a peak, when you see me up there! Just don't break my focus, please! :)
Drei Türme
View from Golm, 2025
Drei Türme - View from Golm, 2025
A Video from my second Plein Air Trip to Golm in Montafon.
I got to paint one of the most beautiful mountain ranges of Montafon. The so called "drei Türme" (three towers) the greatest peak of the three is 2830 m high. I had such a blast painting this mountain trio. Although it's been freezing cold for end of summer.
I painted for two hours, from 11:27 am to 1:30 pm. Even though it was midday, the clouds created an interesting scene and lighting condition. I really enjoyed the process and I’m pleased with the final result. Compared to the last one, it's also a big step in progress, skill wise. I've tried to apply what i've learned from the last trip and it paid off.
Zimba
View from Bürserberg, 2025
Zimba - View from Bürserberg, 2025
Two Hour Plein Air Painting Session on Bürserberg, painting the famous "Zimba" (2643m high). It belongs to Vandans in Montafon, but gets falsely acredited to Brand.
It's hard to get the colors right, out in the open. Because things change a lot. The light changes non stop, which then affects the color, temperature and value of everything that you're looking at. That's why I painted as fast and loosely as I possibly could.