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"Ringling Museum View" 11" x 15" image
watercolor and marker |
Painting Plein Air is not an easy task. But now that we winter in Florida, I have embraced it and absolutely LOVE painting on location. I didn't say that my painting were successful, but I really enjoy everything about this. The sounds, the smells, really "seeing" the scene, and growing as an artist in the process. I'm still trying to find "me" in this process. By that, I consider myself a semi-abstract artist, and I like that people can recognize that it is mine without looking at the signature. I painted this alongside longtime friend, Pat Undis and her friends, Susan McLean and Michele Combs, all of which are very experienced Plein air painters. It was a really fun day, but when Michele said to me, "I can't wait to see what you come up with looking at this view," I thought to myself, "She's right. I should be painting just like I do in the studio, putting my abstract spin on these Plein air paintings." So, I immediately stroked a bright red in the tree area, just to make it a little out of my comfort zone. Then I drew a fast contour drawing of the scene and started layering to build up my values. I'm pretty pleased that it looks like the scene, but I'm NOT pleased that it still doesn't have my "Knutson flare" on it. So, I will keep going out, about 2 times per week, painting on location and trying to find the real "ME" of Plein aire painting. I'd love to hear discussion of your early ventures with Plein air painting in the comments below. Happy Painting!
