More on the Great Outdoors

Since my last posting about outdoor painting I've managed a number of outdoor sessions, alone and with a group of painters from here in the city. The thing about painting outdoors is how it forces me to confront the scene at hand, dealing with changing light, clouds, winds and all the other vicissitudes, coupled with the need for accurate observation and quick decisions. As expected, it's been a fruitful several months. These are a few of the results.

"Rocks Downstream." oil on panel, 12x16

The first painting here is a study of Druid Hill Creek and how water flows over it. "Downstream Rocks" is 12x16, oil on panel. The fun of painting water is the evanescence of the colors, reflections, ripples and eddies. This particular work, like others posted this summer, was done on the bank of the creek, not more than twenty yards from the studio door. I feel blessed to have ample subject matter so close at hand.

"In the Garden," oil on panel, 9x12

The painting to the left is the result of an outdoor painting session at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Local master gardeners maintain a permanent demonstration garden there, and even when the Fair isn't in session the flowers and plants are a beautiful spot to paint. This shows a small statue of a girl holding a flower pot, surrounded by annual and perennial flowers. The garden is quiet and almost completely devoid of visitors despite being open to the public.

So long as summer cooperates, outdoor work will continue.










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Previous posts on this subject:
Thoughts on Painting Outdoors
More Thoughts on Outdoor Painting
More About Plein Air
Equipment for Outdoors
Plein Air on Druid Hill Creek
The Great Outdoors