Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Hawk Meadows



Things weren't happening in the studio today, so I escaped.
Drove down the road aways to Hawk Meadows, a local walking
and hiking park. There I can park and paint in the car.
I noticed something right away ... I was using a small palette
with small pans of color. The colors weren't as strong as
fresh paint in the studio palette. Kind of soft and
transparent. Hopefully I can take that back to the studio
and put it to work. I think I'm going to do plein air more
often. No time to think and let intuition take it's course.
The photo's are blurry because I didn't want to drag out the
tripod. Later maybe. Let me know what you think.

9 comments:

David Westerfield said...

Both are nice Doug. I whole-heartedly agree with you about plein air. I do too much noodling in the studio. But right now that's all I got. I'm not a cold-weather painter. Next month: Maui.

TheChieftess said...

I like the top one!!!

Deb Kirkeeide said...

These are great Doug! The brush work is fresh, minimal but effective and they have great depth and movement. love them!
Good for you for getting out - even from the car. I had a co worker who thought I should buy a Scamp (camper) put a big window in the back and set it up as a traveling studio that way I could paint in any weather.
Sounds fun actually - I wonder if I can get a grant for that?? hmmm....

SamArtDog said...

Let intuition have her way with you; looks like she knows where she's going.

loriann signori said...

Hey PB, I agree with Sam..have a little fun with intuition. She doesn't bite.
These are two beautiful small paintings. The top one has an ahhhhh, I am coming home feeling. Was it white paper or tinted? Nice variety in stroke, I like the mass changes too.
Plein air is a wonderful way to feel grounded, don't you think? Good stuff!
b

Double "D" said...

David, Maui? That's not fair ... but have a great time you lucky guy. I just had to get out of the studio since I was just adding to the burn pile. Felt good.
Have a great time.


Kathryn
Me too. Thanks for stopping by.



Hi Deb!
It was good to get outside even in the car. Yesterday did feel free and loose. Today I went to the same place and immediately started trying to hard and thinking to much. Then I came home and messed with it some more. Thanks for your wonderful comments, that makes me feel good.
I've been thinking about getting a van as well. It only costs money. Good luck with a government grant. Take care.



Hi B.
I think plein air is good for me right now. Although today I started thinking to much again. Not as fresh as yesterdays. The top painting is 9 x 12 and it is white paper. I was in such a hurry to get it posted, the photography is poor.
The bottom one is 7 x 10 both from cold press watercolor blocks. Arches.
As for intuition, I've got to let it do it's thing.
Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me like you always do!!!!!!!!!!
You're the best, awesome friend.
Your painting buddy

Jala Pfaff said...

These are wonderful. I love the energy of the brushwork and the angles, and the very harmonious palette. (Oh, and thanks for your blog visit! I'll be back too. :D)

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

It's fabulous. I love your brushwork and drawing. Everything feels fresh.
I have a palette with dried color on it and I use it anyway. Charles Reid says not to, but it seems if you wet them, the colors work just as well. Any thoughts on that?

Double "D" said...

Mary, I don't like to waste paint. I always rewet whats in the palette and give a few hours for it to soften up.
Sure sometimes the color isn't as intense as fresh paint but sometimes that's a bonus. I wouldn't argue with Charles Reid, but that's his thing. We're all individual artists.

Thanks for stopping by.