Plein Air Painting Challenge, painting #3

As my time was running out and the noon deadline to have all paintings handed in, I used the paints on my palette and quickly laid down the shapes I saw in a completely different direction. This one had a small lake, tree groves and farmer's crops in view. This painting was really fun and with time running out there was no getting into any details. It was fresh and the sun reflected on the top left corner so the colour is off in the photo.

I was only allowed to put one painting in the judging so I put in the second one. I did not win the challenge but enjoyed the wonderful views, friends, being with like minded people, a delicious lunch and a fabulous day! I will certainly go again next year!! A big thank you to Reflections West Art and the Leighton Art Centre for all their hard work!

"Plein Air Painting Challenge, painting #3"

Oil on canvas board 12" x 9"

Painting #2 at the Plein Air Painting Challenge

On August 17, Debbie and I enjoyed the Plein Air Painting Challenge presented by Reflections West Art and Leighton Art Centre. As we had time to paint from 7am until noon, I worked on a second painting with a completely different view, just by picking up my easel and turning slightly. This view had the rolling hills, lit up wild grasses and flowers and a farm house in the background. The Leighton Centre also had a wood art instillation of thin tree trunks that intrigued me.

"Plein Air Painting Challenge, painting #2"

Oil on gesso board 12" x 12"

The farm house is in the middle of the picture, just barely visible. This is a picture of my painting in progress as well as my set up.

Plein Air Painting Challenge

My friend Debbie and I attended the Plein Air Painting Challenge presented by Reflections West Art and Leighton Art Centre at the Leighton Art Centre (just outside of Calgary) on Sunday. The motto was "Retreat . Create . Rejuvenate" and all three were covered well. The day started at 7am and the artists had until noon to paint. The sky was overcast and the mountains were barely in view. Below is the view and my first completed painting. When the sun did peak out, the grasses were alive with colour. I loved the rolling hill in the background so made it more dominate than what I saw. I will post the 2nd and 3rd paintings later.

"Leighton Art Centre Plein Air Painting Challenge, painting #1"

Oil on canvas board 9" x 12"

Happy New Year!

I leant my camera out on Dec 26 and just got it back so can happily post again. This picture is of flowers I have painted before. The flower picture was taken after the first frost by Deb in her backyard. She brought it as our Creative Path paint challenge and we all loved our finished pictures. I chose a different layout and used 3 flowers instead of the 1.5 last time. Permanent Green Light was used as an under painting and duller colours were used to depict the flowers. This was going to be the end of the year posting, so fitting. I enjoyed painting this one as much as the first and look forward to trying it many different ways.

End of the Season II

Oil on masonite board 10" x 8"
OX110101

Second figure class

We had our second figure class with Ingrid Christensen painting in oil. The model was lovely with a combination of bare legs and a flowing dress. We did thumbnails first to decide on what we wanted to include and the placement of subject and empty space and how we were going to link our darks. From where my easel was, the view was mainly of her thighs and everything was foreshortened. Here is my view from my easel and the painting so far.

Ingrid showed me how to make the folds in her dress on my painting. I scraped the paint off at her suggestion and then did it again myself. The other difficulty I was having was the size of her hand and the fore shortened forearm. Again with Ingrid's help, I was much happier with my result. This was a one evening class so once again, a full painting was not completed, but I am happy with the result below.

End of the Season

This painting was done as a painting challenge with my Creative Path art group. Deb sent us this picture taken from her garden and we were to paint it in any medium and any size. Oil and water colour were the choices that day. I am really happy with this one and it was extremely fun and freeing to paint. I also enjoyed painting something small. I think I will put this one on a plate stand and enjoy it unframed.

8" x 10" oil on board

click on picture for a larger view.