It’s been over a year since I’ve participated in a plein air event, and boy, I feel rusty! The day started with checking in and getting my panels stamped. Ran into lots of old friends!
I spent most of the day at DL Bliss State Park, near the Rubicon Trail. This is the deepest, steepest part of the lake, which creates an incredible variety of blues, from violet to green. Since it’s been a while, I started the day with smaller canvas, 8×10. Did two from the same spot, perched on some boulders.
Here’s my first effort
And for my second, I focused on just rocks and water, and finding the slight color variation within the rocks. These early studies, where I focus on just a few things, help set me up for a successful next couple days. These are warm up exercises!
They’re both beautiful, but the second one captures the water with such subtlety. I think all your work with the palette knife has had a very nice effect on your brushwork!
Thanks, Kathryn. I agree, I like the second one two. I get a bit panic-y in these competitions. For the second, I slowed my mind way down and just decided to really study the color and not worry about creating great, big, beautiful paintings for the show Saturday (gulp). I’m going to try the same today. Just be calm, enjoy and let the joy (not the stress) come through.
That first painting – I’ve painted the same composition before. And failed miserably. Yours looks great! Love the clean brushwork !