Plein air painting – Time to Stand and Stare……

‘What is this life if,  full of care,  We have no time to stand and stare.    No time to stand beneath the boughs  And stare as long as sheep or cows…….’     from the poem ‘Leisure’ – by William Henry Davies. 

Plein Air painting affords us the opportunity to stand and stare.     As we observe the ever changing light, we become present to the sights,  sounds and smells that surround us.    After a while we become one with our subject and with that comes a sense of wellbeing.

Kent landscape – watercolour/gouache This post is to encourage those who might feel a little nervous of painting in public, to throw caution to the wind, and give it a go……..

Some tips: –

1) Travel light.  –  A small sketch pad, one brush, sketching pen, a plastic cup for found water….i.e. river, stream, puddle, pub…..(Unless you are in the desert water is usually easy to find)

2)  A limited palette. –  I take seven colours….and could easily cut down to four.

2)   Some people prefer a sketching stool….I look for steps, walls, benches, rocks….

3)    Sun hat – (sunglasses distort colour)

4)    snack and water to drink.

5)    Optional – a camera to use as reference for future studio work.

Note that in this photograph I have found a table….(I was staying with good friends in Wales)    Also note the plastic bag on the table.    Normally for cosmetics it’s compact, has a zip and a handle, and makes for finding a brush or a tube of paint quick and easy.     Perfect for plein air sketching.

Overlooking the Usk Valley where the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons National Park meet…..One of the watercolours I painted during that visit.   I plan to return again this year and do many more sketches there. It’s important to remember that when painting outside technique comes second to observing the essence of the subject.    The aim is to capture a sense of place…rather than every detail.

In this quick felt tip pen and watercolour sketch from Mas Cabardes S. W. France….I picked the essential components of the scene….capturing an idea of place.   When I painted this rapid watercolour/gouache sketch, I was on the edge of a 4,000 ft cliff overlooking the white village of Zuheros, Andalucia, Spain,  with forests and olive groves going off into the distance.    It was very windy, and numerous lion eagles were flying overhead.   An extremely exhilarating moment.

It is all too easy to be overwhelmed with the visual feast set before you, and so again the key is to pick the essential components.   In this instance, I used blocks of colour…rather than any detail. From a pocket sized sketch book – Fishing boats on Armona Island, Portugal…..

I remember this vividly.   I was in Portugal and the sun was setting over the hills….and I needed to capture the moment…and so again there is no detail whatsoever – just my feeling of what was happening.   watercolour. I sketched this on a boat in Kinsale Harbour, County Cork Ireland.…and the colours were just like this…..Often when working in sketchbooks,  I join up the pages as you can see here. Another very happy moment.   I was with my dear friends Mariethe Salort (artist) and Bonnie Halsey Dutton (artist).    We were celebrating July 4th that day and sketched this village – Courrier-sur-Sein – not too far from Paris……watercolour/gouache.    I remember there were lots of little  boys who wanted to get in on the action. 🙂From a pocket sized sketch book off the coast of Akyaka, Turkey.     watercolour. 

This final piece was painted in Monet’s Garden at Giverney.    My friend Mariethe Salort had arranged that we could paint in the gardens when all the visitors had gone.   It was such a wonderful summer’s evening and one I will never forget.     watercolour/gouache

If you have not done anything like this before and are nervous to go it alone….there are groups you can join….or art associations that organise days of plein air painting for all levels, including beginners.     I can not recommend it enough…..

Of course I always surround myself with magical hummingbirds no matter where I am in the world…..and every now and then I am in places where they are the subject.   watercolour

Happy sketching…..

A Bientôt

 

Bonnie Halsey-Dutton Tutor at Art in the Algarve…www.artinthealgarve.com

I can’t believe that it’s almost that time of the year again when courses start up at the School in Olhao Portugal – http://www.artinthealgarve.com     

I am looking forward to my time there in April, but this post is about another artist and dear friend of mine, Bonnie Halsey Dutton...who will be tutoring a course at the School from May 31st til June 7th.

Although Bonnie hails from Spearfish, South Dakota, I first met her in West Chester Pennsylvania about 28 years ago.      Having just moved to the area she first saw me at an art opening and came up and introduced herself, and the rest is history……

Bonnie’s artwork honours stories and explores mankind’s connection to the past.   Living in S. Dakota impacts her imagery, as her art explores the cultural symbols, stories and ancient artefacts from that region. 

Coming in with the Surf –  Oil on canvas. 

A professional artist and art educator, Bonnie has had over twenty years of experience in the field of art education.

Her workshop at the School in Olhao will focus on ‘exploration of place’, as well as ‘low stakes, creative risk taking.’

Using water based mediums, the workshop is designed to benefit beginning painters as well as artists wishing to explore their individual painting style.   

Lost and Found – oil one canvas

By studying art in an inspirational creative environment, like the School in Olhao, participant’s work and thinking is enriched….http://www.artinthealgarve.com

The 150 year old olive tree that emanates from one of the internal courtyards meandering its way up through the different levels of the school.

The studio 

The school offers excellent areas for group activities as well as plenty of quiet private spaces.

 

Looking down into the courtyard swimming pool…there is another pool on the roof

Minutes from the School, the colourful and vibrant market – 

A most convivial place to enjoy the wonderful freshly cooked food from the School’s kitchen,  and of course much conversation. 

Bonnie is an enthusiastic and energetic tutor.     She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, –  another reason why she is an excellent person to enjoy and explore this fascinating area with.

You can learn more about Bonnie at http://www.bonnie halsey-dutton.com and at http://www.artinthealgarve.com

I thought I would finish this post on a humorous note with this photograph of Bonnie and me taken in Deadwood, South Dakota – 1995.    We held up a stage coach that day and did quite well:)

A Bientôt..

 

 

The Importance of Keeping Sketch Books – 2

Carrying a sketch book at all times is a good idea, however this time of year is perfect to put a small sketch book, palette, brush and pen into your bag.    Then find a place in nature where you can doodle and enjoy….oh and don’t forget something to eat and drink…

Sketch books come in all sizes….and although I like to carry a pocket sized book for quick notes, every now and then I will use a bigger tablet, which was the case with this sketch book I used in France during the summer of 2012.

The first two rapid watercolours appealed because of the reflections of the boat and overhanging trees…plus it was such a peaceful place to sit on the banks of the Sein.

This sketch was painted on July 4th 2012….I was with artists, Mariethe Salort, and Bonnie Halsey Dutton….We had just enjoyed a lovely champagne lunch provided by dear Yves….our taxi driver:)

Courriers sur Sein  – watercolour and gouache 

We spent another blissful day in the beautiful village of Gerberoy.   I remember that the Tour de France was close by that day, and every time we passed riders, we yelled ‘Viva La France’ from the car…

This sketch was from the church which sat high up over the village of Gerberoy,  overlooking the beautiful French countryside.

Mariethe Salort managed to arrange for us to paint in Monet’s Garden at Giverney after all the tourists had gone.     It was a wonderful experience to sit in the gardens with no one else around.

Sitting in Monet’s Garden, all alone. 

A bridge over the lily pond at Monet’s Garden, Giverney. 

 

Remember to click on images to see a larger version.

 

You might even see some Magical Hummingbirds.

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

HummingbirdHQ.com

A Bientôt

 

 

Special Moments.

Some special moments during the month of May.

First meeting with Ratka Bodgen, poet writer and fellow member of Axlepin Publishing.     Ratka and her husband flew in from the States…on their way to Macedonia….which allows us to meet and have coffee.

Claudia Notalle, a highly regarded actress and director from France…someone I have known for 36 years spent a a week with me.    Always wonderful.

Another friend and fellow artist of long standing, Bonnie Halsey Dutton, spent five days with me  on her way to Orvieto, Italy for a summer school.

Then a big surprise when one of my favourite nephews from California e mailed to say that he and the family would be in London for 48 hours on their way to Scotland…..I have know Dunham since he was six years old…..Our time together was fantastic, and filled with Harry Potter questions and stories:)

Time spent with good friends and family is so very precious.

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

A Bientôt

 

A visit from S. Dakota

Tomorrow morning, my goof friend the artist Bonnie Halsey Dutton, arrives in London from Spearfish S. Dakota, via the University of Arizona.

This photograph was taken of the two of us in 1998 in Deadwood, S. Dakota a short distance from Spearfish. 

 

This means, that other than the occasional visit, I will be away from here until next Wednesday.

Peace and love. 

http://www.janetweightreed.co.uk

Home

A bientôt

Water lilies in Monet’s garden at Giverny

Painting and observing water lilies is always a treat, but when those water lilies are in Monet’s Garden at Giverny, an even bigger one.

Two summers ago my friend the French artist, Mariethe Salort, took me and another American artist friend, Bonnie Halsey Dutton to paint in Monet’s garden, after everyone else had left!  In other words, for a few blissful hours we had the Garden to ourselves.

It was a little like being presented with the most exquisite table of food, and only being able to sample and digest a very small portion.

Having been to the Gardens a few times before, along with hundreds of other visitors, it was a deeply significant experience to be there in total silence, except of course for the beautiful sounds of nature.     I could imagine the great man himself,  wandering the gardens and all the time painting, endeavouring to capture the rich play of light.

I made as many rapid sketches as was possible……including lots of quick observations of the water Lillie’s.

Frame 1

Note how I quickly sketch out the Lillie’s and then immediately go into the negative space using all the reflected colours from the surrounding flora and fauna.

Before adding the colour, I wet the area surrounding the lilies…..keeping the lilies as dry, white paper.

Frame 2

I strengthen the colour surrounding the lilies and then add a little colour to the actual lily pads (still keeping some dry white paper).   I have indicated the pink flowers very loosely…..

Frame 3

This is a detail from another rapid sketch made on the same day – note the strong dark (a mix of burnt sienna and Prussian blue) surrounding the lily pads.     This is a reflection of heavy foliage from above.

It’s important to note how much dry, white paper is left.      This gives a watercolour, sparkle.

A bientot