Stormy Sunday

Stormy Sunday, L. Daniel, 12 x 12

...otherwise known as "the day it finally rained"! This weekend was Plein Air Austin's year-end barbecue at Westlake Beach, a old and favorite Austin haunt. We gathered in the afternoon to paint first (because that's what we do) and families joined us later. Well, don't you know, about an hour in, the sky darkened like someone had turned off the lights... and yes... rain happened. We all ducked under pavilions to wait it out and then went back and finished our paintings. It didn't last long, but it was a thrill. (I mean that - an absolute thrill - we are literally praying for the wet stuff.) 

Reeds in the Lagoon - Plein Air Demo

Reeds in the Lagoon, L. Daniel, 8 x 8, SOLD 

Plein Air Demo

Today my fall plein air class started and we met up down by the lake to paint reeds and reflections and little yellow flowers. It was a beautiful, cool, sunshiny morning - a truly perfect fall day. I promised my students that I would post my demo from class step by step, so here you all are!

I began by blocking-in the large masses of my composition 

using a mix of French Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna.

(The stain in the background is just leftover from a wipe-off.)

Next, I painted the darkest darks of the upright planes in foreground and background 

(keeping atmospheric perspective in mind to create a sense of air and depth.)

Then I painted the flower blooms (treating them as large masses) 

and saturated greens in the foreground foliage.

Working to get the canvas covered, I put in the muted tones of the reflections on the water.

I am always comparing value, chroma, and temperature of each component to the next,

because all color and value is relative to whatever is beside or around it. 

Once the values and color of the whole scene were working 

I added the sunlit tips of the reeds and broke up the masses with subtle value shifts.

At the very end, I added the final highlights (very important not to rush this final step.)

Watery Reeds

Watery Reeds, 6 x 6

We are having a cold snap here in Austin - I about froze just running outside to take this picture. These are the days that we stay tucked in our studios with scarves on, and wonder how our friends in the north manage to survive (and thrive) in much colder temps. Stay warm, all!!

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