Tuesday 16 April 2013

Close to Home

After suffering the poor light and howling gale on Sunday, I arose this morning to look out of the window and see the sun. With nothing else to do today I decided that painting was the thing to do. The problem of today became apparent when I opened the door. Light there might be but the wind was even stronger than on Sunday.

The thought struck me that I had heard someone say that seeking subjects was not necessary and that painting whatever was in front of you could produce pleasant surprises. It just so happened that the front of our house provided some shelter from the wind and the light was producing shadows, so I set up just outside my front door and got down to it.

As reported last time I was making my first plein air expedition so I am still trying to get into shape. It's amazing how a bit of light makes you feel and today's effort was a positive step in the direction of making a decent plein air piece. Not there yet but heading in the right direction.   


Set Up - photograph


Hunter Terrace - Oil on canvas board 12" x 10"

7 comments:

Ray Maclachlan Art said...

Very nice Mick. Plein air can grow on you. Feel the trees on the left tend to line up a little too much, maybe a bit of variation in the green shapes would help. Or not?

Unknown said...

Ray - I love to paint outside. Pictorially, you are right about the trees lining up I was a little more intent on getting something down than considering compositional matters. Easily adjusted if I can't live with it.

Linda said...

This is lovely, Nick.

Linda said...

Sorry, I meant Mick. :) I love the colours and detail.

Unknown said...

Linda - Thanks a lot for the supportive comment. Even I forget my name from time to time.

Nora MacPhail said...

Congrats on getting out there and painting from life. It's not as easy as it sounds!! Have a blast!

Unknown said...

Nora - Thanks for stopping by and giving your encouragement.