About a week or so ago I got out to paint inbetween cloudy days. I pulled over and set up to paint on the side of the main road that runs right through center of Waldoboro. Sorry I don't know the name of the road but if your familiar with Waldoboro, you know there is not alot of "main" roads, that's one of the reasons its so beautiful there. This day was pretty sweet as far as March in Maine goes, weather was slightly chilly and clear.I got 2 sketches and a 16x20 done that day and as far as production goes I would say that's pretty good for me, anyone reading this please let me know what a productive day is for you? (painting outside of course) Anyway this is a 6x8 sketch for a larger painting I did right after this. I figured I would get to know the scene a bit and see if the composition works or if I could make it work. I know that alot of people suggest thumbnail sketches, or viewfinders to find the composition, but I think that if you are a painter, you paint and take every chance to paint that comes your way. Besides sometimes the best way to improve on a painting is to criticize the one you just did, this painting even though its very loose showed me where I could drastically improve the larger piece.
By the way I was taught a great way to crop a scene by using your hands or hat visor to make a box over your eyes, almost like holding invisible binoculars, letting your hands crop the top and sides. Quote: "There isn't a single person or landscape or subject which doesn't possess some interest, although it may not be immediately apparent. When a painter discovers this hidden treasure, other people are immediately struck by its beauty. "Pierre Auguste Renoir
Last Chance if any of you would like to receive the advertisement mailer for my first show (excited!) please e mail me your mailing address within a couple days and I will try to get you on the mailing list for it.
5 comments:
"Art must take reality by surprise. It takes those moments that for us are merely a moment plus a moment, plus another moment, and arbitrarily transforms them into a special series of moments held together by a major emotion". Francoise Sagan
What a spectacular moment you capture/create here in this sketch. Thank you!
Having done this would be a perfect (therefore productive) day for me. If I get a thrilling 6 x 8 I am really happy!
nice expressive color choices in this one Dan. I keep coming back to check it out.
A productive day for me is just getting some paint the right color in the right spot. I can feel good about just a few good hours of painting time, like yesterday afternoon. I only painted for a few hours, but I feel real good about getting a nice loose block in with accurate values and good color.
The most I ever got in one day of plein air painting is 6 I think.
Hey Mick, are you applying for the position of quote liason? hahaha kidding, nice quote!
Thank you Polusladkaia, I am with you, if the work is thrilling or captures a sensation that you experience then it is truly rewarding be it 1 or 30 6x8s.
Thank you very much Frank, I was really happy that the weather was letting me outside that day, by the time I got to the larger version I had calmed down a bit and got a bit more accurate with the color, haha. 6 in one day sounds good to me, I would say I have done around 6 or so in one day but I have never done that many and not wiped at least 5 haha. Also I like your latest painting so much Im complimenting it here, Its great!
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