What an amazing journey this has been and I have learned so much. I do feel that I enjoyed the plein air painting the most. My favorite paintings were the iris here and the abstract Yuba Flow . I ended up enjoying painting en plein air with watercolors more than with pastels. In the past I was literally afraid take my watercolors out to paint because of what I discerned as a high level of difficulty.
Why I love to paint with watercolors en plein air
- The experience of painting plein air with watercolors amps up the excitement of plein air. It is addicting folks!
- Watercolors is perfect for the light and glow that I see in the great outdoors.
- I can hike several miles to my location whereas with pastels I am limited in how far I can walk in. There is at least a difference of 15-20 pounds of lugging weight.
- Every time I would take my watercolors to paint en plein air, I would connect and think about the great painters such as Homer and Sargent while painting. What an inspiration to think of these painters while I am out there communing with nature.
- With watercolors I felt more in tune with the scene and the sensitivity of the medium, far more than with pastels. I describe it here more fully…watercolor sensitivity located under my learning points.
I will continue on with watercolors for the month of June. These are my goals:
- Continuing on with watercolors in my plein air painting, I will always plein air paint with watercolors, that is now rock solid.
- Paint at least one portrait or figure with watercolors a week or every two weeks, this will include animals or birds.
- Paint on larger size paper.
- Paint more florals.
- Try out hot pressed watercolor paper.
Here are a few examples of portraits that I have done in pastel:
I am hoping to find an unique style with watercolors, not sure how loose or how tight I will get but my goal is accuracy in depicting skin color and attaining a likeness.
I will see you in June and I will be posting on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Yuba Gold 