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)

Unfinished business: Figure paintings

Dean Fisher's figure painting class was paused due to the COVID quarantine. The good news is I'll never have to finish painting those hands!

Drawings: Samir

Weekend workshop with Melanie Reim. Always great to do a 2-day life drawing intensive with a great teacher -- she pushes you to work fast, and your work improves in the process. Pick your charcoal up!  Complete your shapes! Follow the direction! Work from the inside out! Do your thumbnails!  All good:)

The Purple Kimono (Charcoal, Pastel)

A quick drawing at Melanie Reim's studio. Started with compressed charcoal, wanted to try a hit of color, tried soft pastel dipped in water. Didn't work! Maybe oil pastel would be better?

Here are some more quick sketches of Erica. She was a beautiful model to draw.

Study in Oil: Lauren (24" x 30")

Painting the figure again, with Dean Fisher:

His model Lauren is amazing. I feel like the skin tones are the successful part of this painting. There are a few things I would change/rework -- hands, proportion of head in relation to the figure, the background -- but onto the next. 

Still Life: Cup of Tea (Acrylic, 12"x 12")

I've started going to the Art Students League on Saturday mornings, for a class with Karen O'Neil. A recent still life:

P.S. The smallest painting tip can make a huge difference. In Karen's demo, she made black by mixing ultramarine and burnt umber ...  then, by adding white, a warmer or cooler gray depending on how much ultramarine or burnt umber. Mind blown.

Drawings: Dana Watching TV

Sketches of Dana, while watching TV. The profile drawing looks a little like me at the same age:)

Urban Sketch Drawings: Florida

I've started traveling with sketchbook in hand. A few drawings from a recent trip to Florida: