Getting Outdoors, Finally!

Tree Dancer, 9x12

We are now in week 11 of Stay At Home orders, and it seems as though I have been "stuck" at home forever. Probably it doesn't help that the weather here has not been great. We've not had many beautiful spring days this year and that lack of sunshine hurts my spirit too. Finally, last week we got a nice day, partly sunny 70s, time to get my plein air gear and get outside.

I went to a very unpopulated park, where I did not see many people--a historic old farm with many outbuildings. I found a nice spot on the grass (an acre to myself) and set up my gear. Man, it was so good to be outside with my paints, it has been way too long!

I was initially excited by all of the old white buildings which were being hit with sunlight. White in sunlight was exciting to me. And, soon I narrowed it down to this little house and the interesting tree behind it. I thought I could get both the house and tree onto the canvas--yes I was quite a distance away.

The beautiful dancing tree shape came easily to me while the house ended up being a challenge. Structures I think are their own beasts. The issue that I had with the house was that there were so many lines and it was hard to get straight lines outside. I ended up going back over the house at home, using a hard edge to get the house roof line and sides and window lines that I needed.

Recently and to my benefit I just finished an art (Zoom) tree painting class which was amazing. That really helped me to look at the tree and get the character down quickly. Now I need to find a sunlit structure painting class. There has got to be an easier way to get down a house on the canvas.

It felt great to be outside, to see the sun and to plein air paint. It was great to study the tree and the house structure. Perhaps one con was that there were no restrooms in the park;conversely it could be a positive--this limits the amount of time you can paint. After two hours, I had to pack it up and head home!

This week has been incredibly hot and humid, threatening rain so I have not plein air painted--but next week--well let's just say there are a few days that I am hoping to paint outside. Fingers crossed!