Daily Painting Practice - Marigolds

Here's an experiment I tried in the afternoon. I wanted to see if I could turn off all the studio lights (my studio is in the basement) and paint only using the southern light that shines in the basement window. I decided to reuse a panel that had this early daily practice piece on it. Recylced art.
I spun around in my studio chair and set up my plein easel. This worked well for having both the subject and my panel in the same light. However, my palette is now on my right side and I cast a big shadow over it when sitting and painting (not good). I covered the panel with very wet Cadmium Red & Cadmium orange mix of paint. I knew I was going to really slop on the paint when I started out this way. Notice how cool the light is in the background? Watch how the sunlight changes in the background of the studio as the painting proceeds.
Sketch a little with the darks...I can still see the roof from the previous painting.
Block in the main shapes. So far the light is holding out just fine maybe changing just a little....but wait...
That window in the back is on the western side. The sun has moved and it is getting darker all around me.
"Eyes don't fail me now!" The light is beginning to fade a little and so am I. I should lighten the background more but I decided to quit.

click on the image to enlarge the painting
original by Peter Yesis
Marigolds
8"x10"
oil on masonite
SOLD

Now you can understand why painters always say paint from a north light window if possible. The north light stays constant and cool. The southern light changes position and temperature through out the day.
I hope this will work fine for my small daily painting practice pieces because the light changes take about 2 hours. If a painting needs more time I will have to come back and paint the following day.