Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Daily painting practice - Plein air practice day 7 - Tree study

Another attempt at Boyer Chute Wildlife Reserve. I turned 180 degrees from the spot I painted in yesterday's blog and had this view. The colors of field and foliage are beginning to change here in Nebraska. It won't be long before we are in full autumn colors. I think I am starting this plein air stuff at just the right time.

The park has this nice little platform that hangs out over the river. It has a roof so I could set up in the shade. How's that for convenience?

Plein Air Tree Study
8"x10"
oil on masonite
SOLD
Again I only managed to capture my initial idea. I am hoping after this year of study I can move these farther along to a richer and bolder level. One artist I certainly need to study more is (Julian Merrow-Smith). His plein air work is wonderfully bold and his brushwork and color is the stuff I dream about.
But good plein air paintings don't get done by dreaming. It takes daily painting practice. So back at it again tomorrow.

3 comments:

Mike said...

Hey Peter . . . .Mr. Smith has nothin' on you. He has different light than you, I think. Keep it up!

I can't help wondering if you are going to be outside daily this winter. Painting in that kind of challenging environment would be more than I could handle!

Good on ya for your new committment!

René PleinAir said...

I agree with Mike one this one Peter, painting during the winter will be challenging.

you wrote: The park has this nice little platform that hangs out over the river. It has a roof so I could set up in the shade. How's that for convenience?


My suggestion would be, to spare these site's for the coming winter, .....

To give you an idea what your up against take a walk through this site Suncage

Fine work Peter, keep it up!

julian said...

Thanks for the mention Peter, I just happened to stop by whilst checking the Daily Painters Guild!

I found the small postcard paintings that I've been doing over the last couple of years really helpful in loosening up brush stokes and color - I have a tendency to be too realistic - and it's much easier to take risks on a small scale 'finish in an hour' painting.

Wish more of my painting spots had roofs, I'm still trying to get my hands on a white straight handled parasol like you see tied to easels in paintings by Sargent etc.