First Month

First use of Pochade Box

It's been a little over a month since retirement. The house is cleaned, I'm on my 10th book and counting down the days til we head south.

Sticker Shock 1.25 fl oz

So in the mean time, I've taken the leap and started my newest artistic endeavor "Plein Air" painting. Investing in a beautiful Pochade Box and tripod, I've begun filling it with oil paints and canvases. Sticker shock set in right away, so I'm making numerous trips to various art supply stores buying one item at a time with a 50 % off coupon. I think they're beginning to recognize me at Michaels, maybe this is in anticipation of my future fame.


Here's a few definitions:

Plein Air is the act of artists painting outside in order to capture the true colors and light of nature. 

Pochade Box is an artists tool for carrying the supplies and becomes the easel to achieve Plein Air painting.

Paul Berquist demonstration at Myrick Park

I didn't start this new technique without doing some ground work. I was first taken in by a demonstration from Paul Berquist in conjunction with Plein Air Between the Bluffs in La Crosse. I was amazed at his technique and talent. I became immediately hooked on learning more.

By the way he took first place in the competition. See more at www.betweenthebluffs.com or his blogspot.

Required reading

So I started my research, I knew I'd need my own mentor eventually so I will take a workshop in the future, hopefully this summer. But in the meantime I got the recommended books to start the process.


Kevin Macpherson, author of Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color, has been a leader in the resurgence of this technique. I found his book inspiring and easy to follow. He breaks it down for the beginner and suggests 100 small paintings or quick starts to really get warmed up. So I've accepted the challenge and begun,here are my first five.









They are truly nothing like what I hope to achieve, but felt recording the first five would enable me to look back and see where I've been. Don't worry I won't post all 100, maybe a few that I decide to keep. After painting I just wipe the canvas clean. I typically do them in 1-2 hours which is needed to coincide with changing outdoor conditions.

  

It's too cold to paint plein air so I've been using photos for my studies. I'm sure by the time we get to our travel destinations I'll be able to do these outside.

I'm now totally prepared for this new adventure. My husband just gave me another tool on my wish list, a new camera, Canon Powershot SX720HS. Thank you for another great birthday.