( For those of you that a received or viewed a previous post, I messed up some photos before and now they should all be visible.) Thanks for stopping by.
Click image to enlarge.Of all the years I’ve been creating art, I’ve never painted outdoors or "en plein aire". It’s probably because I’m an "indoor" person. I don’t like bugs, cold or hot weather and I sunburn easily. All that said, as a growing artist that loves the impressionists’ paintings ( both the old masters and the modern ), I increasingly wanted to see what all the hype was about. Upon reading various artists’ blogs singing the praises of plein air painting, I began gathering information. I already had the easel purchased last year on eBay. I use the easel in my studio daily but on Friday, that easel, my dog and I took off to a park about 2.5 miles from home to experience my first plein air adventure. The day was perfect weather and the setting was lovely –– not too crowded for a Friday. I had to carry a lot from the parking area down to the lake with my dog Shad-o’s leash around my shoulder. Easel, bucket of equipment, folding stool and board to make a table, and a canvas bag with more stuff and a camera, was all taken in one trip with Shad-o pulling in the opposite direction the entire hike.
Click on image to enlarge.Set up was easy on the lake deck –– a good level and firm surface and a little shade and lots of places to secure Shad-o. I’m so glad that I took a hat ( thanks Jennifer Young! ) That was a must with my transition lenses turning dark in the sun, and it got hot as well! Aside from easel, canvas, paints and brushes, my equipment included: paper towels, plastic garbage bag to line the bucket, camera, water to drink ( I forgot a water bowl for Shad-o ) cell phone, rag, turpentine and medium in small jars. That was everything I needed but I can see why an easel umbrella would be useful on future trips. Shad-o’s protection was not needed and things would have gone a lot quicker without him, bless his little heart ( as we say here in the south... ).
Click on image to enlarge.It was 11:30 when painting finally began. I started by drawing with paint on white canvas, making a few marks to indicate composition and a few color notes and shadows.
Click on image to enlarge.I continued defining shapes and colors to capture the light and shadows that existed at the start. Getting that light effect down first is important because later, as the sun moves, lighting and shadows are constantly in flux.
Click on image to enlarge.After 2 and a half hours of painting, here I am very happy. Shad-o is not very happy and ready to go! My first session has been a big success and my dog and I have provided lots of entertainment for various groups of moms with strollers and small children in tow.
Click on image to enlarge.I’ve finished painting all that the site will yield to me and am ready to go back to the studio and work on a few areas from memory and the digital images I captured.
Click on image to enlarge.Back in the studio, I spent another hour improving some areas and probably overworking some, too. It’s often difficult to know when a painting is "finished" and there is a danger of losing the fresh spontaneous quality. As I compare this first outdoor painting with my studio work, I have several observations. When I look at the photo I took of this scene before I started painting, I try to imagine how this painting would compare to a painting from the photo. The first thing I notice is how much more color variations I saw in the trees around the lake. The photo was just different shades of green and lost a lot of yellows and reds that were apparent in life. The other big difference was found in the shadows. The photo’s shadows are darker and the light areas appear white ( as in the sky ) or washed out. These differences I’ve read about and noticed when I’m out taking reference shots, but it was eye opening to compare photography to life observation in this way. As a result, my plein air painting was lighter and airier–somehow less solid or heavy looking. I also felt a sense of freedom from the confines of a photo’s borders. Interpreting the broad scene before me, rather than from a photo on my computer screen, I found freeing rather than overwhelming as I had expected. I’ll definitely be outside again ( sans Shad-o ). I think this can be addicting!
Capturing that "fleeting moment" that the impressionists are seeking, took me 3.5 hours of painting, 1.5 hours for travel, set up, break down, walking my dog, and 9 hours to create this blog post! Hope someone reads it!
8"x 10" oil on canvas. Available.
