Plein Air Studies, Autumn 2020

Small plein air studies, done locally as the colors were starting to turn. I think the paintings done with a palette knife are more interesting -- more texture and bolder marks.

THOUGHTS ON PAINTING DURING COVID

Hey -- Recently I've struggled with the isolation of this pandemic. Took every ounce of strength to get out painting this week. Did a few studies -- one with a palette knife, another of a tennis court -- but just can't find my groove. Gonna take a break. 

Stay safe and healthy ... and wear a mask!

"MAURA": PLEIN AIR PAINTING, MEAD PARK CT.

Sometimes I struggle finding a subject in the landscape that I'm excited about. (Ridiculous, I know!) Fortunately, a fellow student provided the perfect solution.

Painting Values: Architecture (Study)

Every workshop I've ever taken usually covers 3 foundational concepts: composition, thumbnails, and values.  Claudia Rilling's workshop on painting architecture (she's a wonderful artist, check her out) did as well. Always a good exercise.

Maybe abstraction works differently, I'll let you know when I get there!

PLEIN AIR PAINTING DURING COVID: MEAD PARK, NEW CANAAN

I'm so happy to find a group of plein air painters. We paint together on Saturday mornings (socially distanced of course). At this location, I decided to change the building into a barn; may have chased the light a bit before stopping. Still, it felt GREAT to paint outdoors*.

*Dean Fisher leads this plein air painting group, at various locations in Fairfield County, CT. 

SEEING RED: Painting During COVID

I never knew what a luxury it was to stand 10 feet away from the model (and have Ismael Checo set up the pose and light the model, as well!) Well, during COVID, gotta do the best we can with what we've got. Not a fan of painting the portrait, via computer monitor. 

Life Drawing During COVID -- Online Model

Now that we can't spend time in a studio with a model, it's time to start drawing from a model online. Not ideal, but it gets the hand moving.  (Charcoal on paper, acrylic paint on paper).

Life Drawing During COVID -- Online Model

During COVID, I appreciate the dedication it takes for a model to pose for a group of artists she can't see and doesn't know, and to do her own lighting Don't love the drawing, but felt good to just DRAW. (Pencil)