Brown Paper Paintings, flora and fauna, Plein Aire Painting

Brown Paper Series-#1 Ready to Exhibit in Guild October show

This is the first large brown paper painting I did 2 months ago. It was a very different experience–unknown, different, exciting. I did it as an experiment—to paint very big on paper that was not white and completely unique. If you know me you know my favorite thing is drawing and painting from life. I normally never use photos except for quick references. That’s just my training and experience. So I found myself painting outside in my patio where the light was perfect and I had a little room to hold this big canvas, which was not a canvas at all but a melange of several heavy cardboard sheets taped together.

The brown paper is heavy gauge wrapping paper found in framer’s supply. The paint is a mix of several types: watercolor, liquid acrylics and fabric paints heavily thinned. I was very happy because I could apply my techiques the same way I teach watercolor; by working in layers. When you work digitally in photoshop you have to have a good command of layers. I use photoshop every day in one way or another. This technique is giving me a way I can blend the techniques and materials to solve “how to” prolems. At last I found a way to combine the theory of how to paint with the practicality of this kooky medium I was kind of inventing for myself.
For posts, I did take some quick shots with my cellphone to follow the progress. I will be releasing a pdf in my new watercolor teaching book so stay tuned.

people, Plein Aire Painting, street scenes

Calla Lilly seller

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We are finally having some sun here in Mexico.  It’s been really cold and I can’t get used to it.  So on my patio today I’ve been working on this large watercolor and intermittently putting the painting in the sun to dry.  While it’s drying, I catch as many warm rays as I can.  Boy, the sun feels great.  I have not picked this painting  up in a few months as I’ve been super busy with many things other than painting. So in a day or so, it should get finished if nothing else crazy happens.

miniatures, Nature, Plein Aire Painting

Miniature Landscapes of Imagination

landscape-4x10pastel1

I have been pining for arches cold press paper since I used all of my supplies up since I’ve been in Mexico.  I scored a lovely small landscape pad and this is the first painting done with it.  It’s a dreamy landscape with a subtle pale palette.

This size is certainly small at 4×10 inches but it does put one in a mood to let your imagination soar and it makes me stop and think.  At least that is what it is doing for me. I hope to do more like this.  The size reminds me of handling delicate lace.  That is the mood it inspires.  My keyboard is also small.  I guess that makes everything relative.

arches miniature pad

With the magic of digital helpers, here is the image on paper, metal and fabric.

flora and fauna, Plein Aire Painting, step by step, how to

Coto pool and painting outside plein aire style

W-N-travel-paletteLovely sunny day. Quiet here and wanting to be outside, coto-pool-webmy friend and I set out to spend an hour with our mini palettes and brushes and small watercolor pads. This is the wading pool in my (coto) community. It is complete with great healthy palm trees and singing birds.
It is important and joyful to paint outside. It is a liberating experience. Tiny brush, tiny palette, tiny view of a huge scene. Plein aire paintings are super honest. Perhaps because you have to be quick before the moving sun changes your view.
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