Starting to do Plein Air Painting

In the Middle of the Park

5 x 7, oil on linen panel

I have started en plein air painting (painting outdoors). I have been putting it off forever but, as I follow so many artists whose work I really like, I cannot get away from knowing that they paint en plein air. The current day masters all say to do it. So I have finally begun. I had put it off because I didn't want the pressure of time as the light changes and I didn't want the pain of getting all the equipment ready etc. and setting up in all weather conditions. After only a few days, in chill and drizzle, I may be hooked. What a crazy time of year to start painting outside.

Hiding After the Chase

5 x 7 oil on linen panel

Catch the hint of "my" cows under the trees. They had just been mini-stampeded by an unruly terrier. 

I do like the color that is ending up in these en plein air paintings. I am learning why so many love to paint this way.

Pair of Trees

5 x 7 oil on panel

Across the pasture on the farm where we are living here in England are these 2 trees that seem to stand guard over the acres. The trees like these each seem to have their own personality cause you cannot find 2 that are the same. After finishing this painting I headed to the store to buy a camping stool cause sitting on the ground killed me.

Notan

 Trying something new - Notan, the simplest kind. Notan means black and white and in painting one does a sketch making everything in shadow to be black and everything in light to be white.

This is my pencil drawing.

Next, draw the image onto the canvas and paint the black and white. This canvas happened to have a pinkish background so I left it. Now to keep the coloring in mind that would mean darker values in the shadows and lighter values in the light.

The whole notan system has me thinking clearer. I look forward to more exploration of this method.

 Finished painting:

 "Just a Sip"

5 x 7

Oil on canvas

SOLD

Another Walk. Another Painting

Misty Morning

5 x 7, Oil on Panel

I take lots of walks around West Malling. I really do appreciate this part of England. When I don't forget my camera I can get loads of great paintng subjects. This was one of them.

"Scrambled Eggs Maker"

each canvas is 2 1/2" square

Framed in one, 4-holed frame

I have painted from the reference photo before but had lots of fun cropping it up to these bits. I think that may paint from other already used references too. I learn more each time I do it.

"My Cows Love the Shade"

24 x 30cm

oil on panel

SOLD

So often when I take my walk up to the park to see the Highland Cattle there I find them napping under the trees. I slowly work my way into their midst so as not to startle them and to let them know that I am a friend. If I could, I would actually go up and give them a big cuddle but I know that they would not put up with that so I have to just use my imagination and pretend that I do.

"Falling Fence"

3 x 5

Oil on panel

SOLD

The autumn sun shows at a lower and lower angle as the year gets old. This makes for some great photo opps and painting references. There are lots of these rickety old fences around in this part of England. You will see more paintings of some of them one of these days. Working this small not only gets a painting done faster but ends up teaching me more and more about painting in oils.

Mooooo

Highland Cattle - Meal Time

24 x 30cm

oil on panel

SOLD

These beautiful cows are a 5 minute walk from my front door. They are part of a grazing program. After 6 months or so they will be moved to some other park to graze so I have to take advantage of them while they are here. This mother cow and her white calf are easy to distinguish from the rest. In fact, yesterday I was visiting them (again!!) and got to watch the mama licking the calf's face, grooming it. So sweet. Of course I didn't have my camera. Grrr. This breed of cows (Highland Cattle) must have something genetic in them that has them with their tongues out more often then any other cows I have seen. If I can capture a good overall photo of this you will see a painting or tow of it.

Peaking Out of the Woods

16 x 12

Oil on panel

In the middle of the open park area is a wooded area. Quite often you can find the cows scattered amongst the trees. When they first came here in August you could barely see them at times because they hadn't eaten the grasses down yet. They are easier to see now.

Cockerel at Round Oak Farm

The Young Cockerel

18cm x 24cm

oil on panel

SOLD

What is there about chickens that pulls one to paint them? Color, shape, odd elegance and grace? I saw all of them in this one.

Young Cockerel #2

24cm x 18cm

oil on panel
SOLD

I like looking for the colors within the black and white. 

Another Path

England Path #2 to East Malling

5 x 7

Oil on Panel
SOLD

This path is narrow and so inviting. So many of the paths in England are. There is such a romance about them. At times I feel like I am in a fairytale book as I walk them. I let my imagination wander.

A Walk in the Park in England

"A Walk in the Park in England"

5 x 7"

Oil on panel
SOLD

These romantic scenes are around every corner in this woodland area. I could feel the footsteps of the many, many others who have walked here before me. The open woods just let the sunlight stream in. I really enjoy how light blue can capture such a mood.

February 2011 Oils

"Sunshine" 9 x 12
SOLD

This is a significant painting for me because of it's looseness. I want ot do more paintings to explore the looser style.

"Slide" 8 x 10

"Wet Pants" 8 x 10
SOLD

Shadows and the weight of the wet pants. The posture too. That's what drew me to this one.

"Adoring Peck" 7 x 5
SOLD

I really like the close crop here. The whole thing was about the kiss and Mom watching baby and baby not really noticing it. Such love at this stage has to be adoration.

"Pippa" 10 x 8

Deep shadows, lost details. Lost edges. Gonna do more of this too. So much to experiment with and learn. I guess it is never done.

Some more figuratives

I am being pulled to do more and more figurative oils. I am happy with these but be watching for a looser technique soon.

"Toss a Stone, Make a Wish"

8" x 10"

Loved the gesture as she tossed a pebble into the water.

"Free Range in the Snow"

8" x 10"
SOLD

The unlikely scene draws me. Especially when it is unexpected and with no trickery. Chickens walking over a bridge in the dead of winter. Of course. The deep shadows of a lower winter sun helped to show off not only the chickens but more importantly, their shadows.

"Pondering at a Fire Gone Cold"

8" x 10"

So 'everyday different' was this scene. Cold. Crisp. Quiet. Again the long shadows of the winter sun.

"Huddling in the Barn"

8" x 10"
SOLD