Blog

Sometimes I just feel like heading out and painting all by myself.  I often like to paint with others, but sometimes, I just don't want to try to arrange schedules or chat -- I just want to be by myself to practice.

In checking the weather forecast it looked like the only day of the week that would be nice was Tuesday.  Rain, cold or wind was scheduled for the rest of the week.  And of course, Monday was my day out in Camarillo in David Gallup's master class.  We had been doing figure painting.  David always says figure painting -- especially quick studies like he has us do sometimes is great practice for plein air.  -- It's all about light and form.

I headed out to my favorite place and enjoyed a beautiful winter day at Leo Carrillo State Beach!  I paint there so often, one would think I'd get tired of it, but it is absolutely NEVER the same.  On that Tuesday the weather was perfect.  No fog, no wind and almost no people.  But there were lots and lots of birds!  I edged up pretty close and set up my easel and got busy painting.   The birds didn't move around too much, but they certainly weren't in the same place when I finished the painting as when I started.     

That's okay, though.  I learned earlier when trying to capture human figures in a plein air piece, to just block in a bit of a shape for placement.  I could refine it more later if I wanted.

After about two hours, I had to get up to go... (Tuesday is Tyler's early day.)   All in all a day well spent!   I am indeed one lucky artist to be able to enjoy such a wonderful day outside.

"Taking Flight"