Blinded by the light

Sayville waterfront. Last Wednesday evening the Patchogue sketch group met at the Sayville waterfront. Unfortunately I was at the wrong side and missed my artist friends. I did the watercolor sketches from my car. There really wasn't much sun light, but the glare of the sky blinded me to everything in the foreground. I continued to sketch and then decided to look to the right and sketch the scene away from the light. Great idea until a car pulled up and blocked my view.
Determined to do an oil from my watercolor sketch, I didn't take a digital photo. The only thing I can say about this painting , is, I kept my promise and didn't work from a photo. In doing this I learned that the first impression is the best. My oil is lacking in so many ways. I tried to recapture the scene that I remembered from that evening. I didn't succeed this time, but I will eventually. All in all I am loving this new adventure that is before me and it is great fun. Happy painting to all. I wish you all a very Happy Easter.

A Promise

Inspired by Paul Bachem. My studies has taken me to a fork in the road. Do I continue to depend on digital photos taken during my plein air trips last year or do I simply work from memory or my plein air sketches.

Paul is one of the gifted artist I follow. The list is quite long and I am always in awe of the their work. Paul writes in his blog that he works on location and when the weather doesn't cooperate he paints a still life. Bruce Sherman works outdoors in all kinds of weather.

I made a promise to work only from life. This is a painting I just started today, it is a 16x20 on mdf board. Which was primed with Brian Ryders recipe of pink and raw sienna mixed with gesso and spackle. Using a previous sketch and little from my memory of what was seen last year, I began playing with the application of paint. My work will probably be very redundant until the weather improves. Happy Painting Everyone.

The Sky Isn't Always Blue

Today was just a study in color. I am still using the 3 primary colors and white. It is still to cold on Long Island to do plein air painting. So I am taking this time to do color studies. The atmospheric conditions on Long Island can vary from very gray dull days to brilliant colorful skies.

Using only the three colors it will be so beneficial to me not to feel like a pack horse when we do venture out. It will lighten my load, 4 tubes, blue, yellow, red and of course white and turps. I am not concerned with composition or structure today, that will come later.
Happy Painting to all.

Robert Brindley Tech,

Today it was back to my studies. The tulips were purchased yesterday and this is just my first blocking in stage.

The beach scene is a second attempt of Sayville beach. This time using the Robert Brindley Tech. of painting in just the primary colors. The panel is textured with a paste.

In learning various techniques it always amazes me how difficult painting can be and I find that challenging and motivating.

Happy Painting Everyone.

Boat Studies

Boat studies, the first is the graphite water wash pencil, the second a water color study and the third a 6x8 oil on canvas that still needs work. The angle of the boats are very difficult and as you can see they aren't quite right. That will come in time with more practice. The oil , was more of a study in using a limited palette of the primary colors. All in all a productive day for me, now I am off to Home Depot to buy mdf board and have it cut into larger panels, 16x20 and 18x24.

Gilette Park The little house sketches

Sunday morning sketches in pen and ink, graphite waterwash pencils, and pen and watercolor. Just to start my week with a few sketches.

Cigar Box pochade

Well these are my cigar boxes that are great little pochades without the expense. My husband Mike used a chain and small nails to keep the back cover in a position to be able to paint.

I purchased 3 boxes and I find them great for little still life painting at the kitchen table.

I have learned so much from other artist. If you look at my side bar, there is an artist who makes their own pochade boxes as well.

Happy painting everyone.

Sayville Beach WIP

Still working, just did a little more on the beach scene. More tweaking needed on the building. Now I am going to play with my new cigar box pochade. Went to the local smoke shop and bought the cigar boxes, my husband made it possible to use them as my little pochade box. I will post it tomorrow.

I started this beach scene yesterday. It's an 11x14 on mdf board. I am using Brian Ryder's technique.

You can see the acrylic under painting. In the second stage I began adding more colors. I am hopeful that I can pull this one off, if not. I will do another.

Happy painting everyone.

Sayville Beach Update

Still working on the Sayville Beach scene. In learning new techniques, it's like riding a wave. These recent post I used David Dunlop technique. Very different from Brian Ryder.

In studying various techniques it's so true what they say " The more you learn, the less you know". Oh, well it's all fun.

Even though my actual age is way up there, I feel like a toddler taking my first steps.

Happy Painting everyone.

Sayville Beach

8x10 90 minute study of the Sayville Beach. Yesterday I finally got out to sketch and take some photos. Today it was a study in oil, that is still on my easel.

Meadow Croft WIP

This is closer to what I am trying to achieve. I still need to tweak the colors. I like this better than the first but still needs more work.

You know what they say about 20 20 hindsight . After a few days I will take another look at this and see what else I can do.

In the meantime. Happy Painting everyone.