Blog

Teaching a plein air class has given me some important insights into the process. With my students, I compare painting plein air to building a house.

1) The foundation is the composition. If the composition works the rest of the painting process will be on solid ground.

2) The frame-work of the painting is made by establishing the darks. Establishing the shadows quickly before the light changes is imperative. Once the framework is in place don't change it by chase the light. Only clarify the darks as you add information.

3) Blocking in the other values putting up the sheet rock. It can be cut, tweaked and changed as the need arises to make the painting work but simplification is the key to success. Simplify and mass the shapes to achieve this very important step.

4) Putting in the highlights and details for the designer touch. Everyone wants to skip to this step immediately because this gives your painting definition but resist painting the flees before the dog and wait until the last half hour of painting to add this final step.

Dragon Stance 14x11

When painting the figure I find it helpful to not think of the figure as a separate thing but instead concentrate on shapes and how the figure is just another part of the scene. I have come up with several ways to help me do this. One is the use of notan. For those unfamiliar with this idea, a notan is a Japanese method of reducing all the values in a scene into two color values. Everything in the light is white and everything in shadow is black. This simplification forces me to see the shapes of the composition with great clarity.

Two Color Notan

For more subtle value nuances, I will use a three color notan by adding a midtone grey. This additional refinement really helps me to see how the composition comes together. I find that if I think only of painting shapes, not the thing I am painting, my painting is more believable, and I can paint with a freedom that escapes me if I am trying to paint a figure. Painting shapes sets me free from self imposed restrictions and expectations.

Three Color Notan

As I paint the shapes, the figure emerges from the composition with a confidence that I can't achieve if I am worried about "painting the figure." Artist see things differently than the average person, but some artists see better than others. Notan is one tool that has helped me see the figure in a simplified and less intimidating way.

My trip to Italy in November 2008 was amazing and has inspired a series of paintings, Umbria Autumn, Somewhere in Time, and Potted Plants (so far). My love of painting plein air is being elevated to the next level and I will be competing in a number of upcoming plein air events starting in May (see below). I am looking forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming events.


Artists of the Canyon Spring 2009 Show

I am one of the Artist of the Canyon hosting our Spring 2009 Show at White's Gallery starting April 1 and ending on April 30, 2009. A reception will be held on Saturday, April 4 from 4 PM to 7 PM. I hope everyone can join me at the reception at 2414 Honolulu Avenue in Montrose, CA 91020.


Carmel Art Festival Plein Air Competition
May 14 - 17, 2009

Painting plein air is exciting and fun, so it is a thrill to be included in the upcoming Carmel Plein Air Competition this May. I am looking forward to painting along with the other juried artists who will be capturing the beauty of the area around Carmel, California.


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