300 Paintings, 365 Days
BLOG.CHRISTINEBEIRNE.COM
142 Paintings of 300
Another brisk dusk at the meadows! A lot of the regulars today walking their dogs...both dogs and people very happy! Someone thought they heard it went down to 32 degrees last night! My orange and lemons trees seem happy still.
I have been laying a gray ground down...it works very well when I have a couple of hours to paint, but after today, I don't think I'll be using it for these paintings. Now the light fades so fast that I have about 15 minutes,,,the colors are too dull and mushing too much...(don't you like my precise painting terms?)
I found out today that the two smallish black dogs that roam free on the meadow belong to the woman who I hear during the summer months talking on the phone...guess she doesn't want to walk them herself. The meadow is a preserve and dogs aren't supposed to be there by themselves.
One dog owner told me that he's surprised that the dog hasn't been eaten by the coyotes especially since one of them is very sweet...
during the summer I clean my brushes to insects..now, it's the warm glow of house lights in the distance.
I have been laying a gray ground down...it works very well when I have a couple of hours to paint, but after today, I don't think I'll be using it for these paintings. Now the light fades so fast that I have about 15 minutes,,,the colors are too dull and mushing too much...(don't you like my precise painting terms?)
I found out today that the two smallish black dogs that roam free on the meadow belong to the woman who I hear during the summer months talking on the phone...guess she doesn't want to walk them herself. The meadow is a preserve and dogs aren't supposed to be there by themselves.
One dog owner told me that he's surprised that the dog hasn't been eaten by the coyotes especially since one of them is very sweet...
during the summer I clean my brushes to insects..now, it's the warm glow of house lights in the distance.
139, 140 and 141 Paintings of 300
Got behind in my blogging so decided to do the last there in one swoop. I realized when I was adjusting these for the web they are all so dark...well...that's because it is getting dark very
early!
Painting 130 was the first day I noticed the trees really turning colors...did that happen overnight? They were still very lush and brilliant in their colors.
I started using a different base to paint on....instead of painting on gessoed masonite, I bought some pre-gessoed canvas and clued them to the masonite. What I found is that the paint doesn't get absorbed as much in the canvas and it stays wet a little longer...having to learn how to deal with that as if I'm a beginner painter!
Day 140 (day before yesterday) was very brisk...satisfying...I wore my hat and a sweater under my hoddie. I noticed the trees were already loosing their leaves...they seemed more bare than just a couple of days ago.
A LOT of people walking by...from young teens and older...many of the regulars, but a lot of newer people as well.
Today I got there about 15 minutes late...started at 4:48 and finished at 5:03...barely had enough time to put much down...everything was dark, gray...BUT...there were still brilliant leaves on the trees even though a lot less of them.
Another invigorating day! A lot of people...a hint of frogs...smells of horses today. I haven't heard the women in the house behind me on the phone for a long time. It must be now that it's colder, she's inside.
As I was cleaning my brushes, I noticed lights in the houses in the distance...maybe ond of these days I would paint that scene. I had an opening to go to...so it was time to go.
early!
Painting 130 was the first day I noticed the trees really turning colors...did that happen overnight? They were still very lush and brilliant in their colors.
I started using a different base to paint on....instead of painting on gessoed masonite, I bought some pre-gessoed canvas and clued them to the masonite. What I found is that the paint doesn't get absorbed as much in the canvas and it stays wet a little longer...having to learn how to deal with that as if I'm a beginner painter!
Day 140 (day before yesterday) was very brisk...satisfying...I wore my hat and a sweater under my hoddie. I noticed the trees were already loosing their leaves...they seemed more bare than just a couple of days ago.
A LOT of people walking by...from young teens and older...many of the regulars, but a lot of newer people as well.
Today I got there about 15 minutes late...started at 4:48 and finished at 5:03...barely had enough time to put much down...everything was dark, gray...BUT...there were still brilliant leaves on the trees even though a lot less of them.
Another invigorating day! A lot of people...a hint of frogs...smells of horses today. I haven't heard the women in the house behind me on the phone for a long time. It must be now that it's colder, she's inside.
As I was cleaning my brushes, I noticed lights in the houses in the distance...maybe ond of these days I would paint that scene. I had an opening to go to...so it was time to go.
138 Paintings of 300
C-O-L-D. That was the first thing I thought of when I got out of the car and saw the foothills. (I found out yesterday that they are the foothills of Las Padres National Forest, not necessarily mountains!) The mountains...err...foothills were cold, the ground was cold, the air was cold. No shadows...just grays, violets...with dashes of yellow here and there.
Of course, it was also cold...I was very glad of my knit beanie and the layers of clothes that I have stashed in a bag in the back of my car.
It was weird...it wasn't cloudy, yet the way the sun (or lack of it) hit the foothills, looked like it was cloudy...there were no darks and lights...
A few people out today, including a lady who every time she sees me says "well there is a different painter today!" Maybe she didn't recognize me because of my fashionable hat!
It's getting a little harder to see...when I take my finished photo (and today I finished at 4:58), when I clean my brushes...
Yet...I'm here...I'm alive...I'm painting...life IS good!
Of course, it was also cold...I was very glad of my knit beanie and the layers of clothes that I have stashed in a bag in the back of my car.
It was weird...it wasn't cloudy, yet the way the sun (or lack of it) hit the foothills, looked like it was cloudy...there were no darks and lights...
A few people out today, including a lady who every time she sees me says "well there is a different painter today!" Maybe she didn't recognize me because of my fashionable hat!
It's getting a little harder to see...when I take my finished photo (and today I finished at 4:58), when I clean my brushes...
Yet...I'm here...I'm alive...I'm painting...life IS good!
137 Paintings of 300
Today I painted with a plein air group in Oxnard by an area with lots of bridges, boats and canals. When I arrived, I must admit, none of it looked too inviting to paint. Then I thought, "Wait a minute! Yesterday in my blog I said the experience of my '300 Paintings' had given me the confidence to paint anything!"
So, with a sigh...I decided to paint one of the bridges.
I laid in the my darks and lights and was feeling good about how it was working out. I felt as if I had discovered the secret to painting plein air...I could master it!
When I arrived at my spot at the Ojai Meadow. I was anxious to prove my new prowress to myself.
All I had to do was block in my darks and lights with confidence!
I started laying down some light...I blinked...uh oh...where did it go?
I blinked again...was it really light there?
Everything looked grey.
It wasn't even 5:00 and I could barely see.
I realized that even though the light did move quickly in the morning, I had more time to observe it. Oh...it did move around...but it was still there. As long as I blocked it in early...even if the light wasn't in the exact same spot, I could still observe the value. After 2 hours, I finished my morning painting -- the light that had been on the bridge was completely gone.
During the morning I had two hours; at dusk I have about 15 minutes.
Wow.
So, with a sigh...I decided to paint one of the bridges.
I laid in the my darks and lights and was feeling good about how it was working out. I felt as if I had discovered the secret to painting plein air...I could master it!
When I arrived at my spot at the Ojai Meadow. I was anxious to prove my new prowress to myself.
All I had to do was block in my darks and lights with confidence!
I started laying down some light...I blinked...uh oh...where did it go?
I blinked again...was it really light there?
Everything looked grey.
It wasn't even 5:00 and I could barely see.
I realized that even though the light did move quickly in the morning, I had more time to observe it. Oh...it did move around...but it was still there. As long as I blocked it in early...even if the light wasn't in the exact same spot, I could still observe the value. After 2 hours, I finished my morning painting -- the light that had been on the bridge was completely gone.
During the morning I had two hours; at dusk I have about 15 minutes.
Wow.
136 Paintings of 300
Wow!!! I'm so far away from my 300...guess I'm not going to make 300 in 365 days. But...I'm just going to keep on going until I reach 300!
I must admit, I'm glad the time changed. I can now go to some of my favorite classes at the gym as well as get back in time for dinner.
I've got to start leaving the house a little earlier...by the time I got set-up, it was 4:44 when I started painting. I basically had about 12 minutes.
The mountains we orange...no pink...no red! They changed by the minute!
It was dark so-o-o fast...I take my photo while I'm out in the field...I was shocked that I was able to get a photo.
One of the "regulars" walked by and asked me if I was happy how my paintings turned out. It's so hard to explain it's not about the outcome of the paintings....
What have I gained?
I must admit, I'm glad the time changed. I can now go to some of my favorite classes at the gym as well as get back in time for dinner.
I've got to start leaving the house a little earlier...by the time I got set-up, it was 4:44 when I started painting. I basically had about 12 minutes.
The mountains we orange...no pink...no red! They changed by the minute!
It was dark so-o-o fast...I take my photo while I'm out in the field...I was shocked that I was able to get a photo.
One of the "regulars" walked by and asked me if I was happy how my paintings turned out. It's so hard to explain it's not about the outcome of the paintings....
What have I gained?
- My ability to paint in any weather...
- I don't demand perfect light anymore
- I'm willing to try and paint anything
- I now wear a knit beanie...keeps my head warm.
- I rarely get embarassed with a painting that didn't quite work out. (Ok...I had one in San Francisco of the "painted ladies" that I was a little embarassed about...and a lot of tourists walking by and being critics...also listening to Tony Bennett singing "I left my heart in San Francsico" while I was painting was strange!)
- I am always ready to paint plein air -- I almost stopped to paint on the way to the gym the other morning...but didn't...needed to work out!
- Some days I think I'm a better painting..others I don't. (Not sure how enlighting that is!)
- That no matter how bad my day is (or how good!) painting takes me outside of myself...I forget my cares...it's just me and paint. For a time, aches and pains are gone. And that, I think, is the best of all.
135 Paintings of 300
What a week....meetings...meetings...meetings...all at the time I'm suposed to be painting my 300. I did have a good event though...my dear friend and wonderful painter Susan Cook, received an "Artist in the Community Award," it was worth missing a painting day for her!
On Friday, I had committed to gallery hosting at the Artist Union Gallery. (Again...during my paint time!)
I was able to paint outside the gallery...looking at the islands.
A little distracting...a lot of homeless...they all seem to be artists (at least that's what they tell me!) It's hard...you don't want to be rude...but you just want to paint.
On Friday, I had committed to gallery hosting at the Artist Union Gallery. (Again...during my paint time!)
I was able to paint outside the gallery...looking at the islands.
A little distracting...a lot of homeless...they all seem to be artists (at least that's what they tell me!) It's hard...you don't want to be rude...but you just want to paint.
134 Paintings of 300
I had spent a week painting in San Francisco and the area with a friend...(we're going to have a show together in September) and truly thought I could work on my 300...I did get a lot of paintings done...just none at the right time. Seemed like at 4:30 we were usually in the car.
When I arrived home, there was rain!
I had a slightly different view...I pulled my car as close as I could get and flipped the back of my trailblazer up and painted under there.
Good to be back...
133 Paintings of 300
Left a house full of company to go do my painting...I think my reluctance to leave shows in my painting.
My focus felt poor. It was cold -- felt 10 degrees and a lot windier than at my house even though it's only a mile from my house.
Did I say it was cold?
When I arrived most of the field was in shadow except for a tiny portion.that was lit up beautifully. Byt the time I got my easel up, the board on and brushes ready...it was practically gone! (And I'm fast at setting all this up...I have it down now!)
I worked from the bottom watching the changes happening faster and faster.
I actually would have liked to have left more room for the sky...it was gorgeous...but I had such a big focus on the foreground...I didn't plan well.
It was cold.
I need a beanie.
Despite the cold, I did clean my brushes...
Dusk enveloped the area...a stillness permeated the meadow.
Then, frogs started croaking...
My focus felt poor. It was cold -- felt 10 degrees and a lot windier than at my house even though it's only a mile from my house.
Did I say it was cold?
When I arrived most of the field was in shadow except for a tiny portion.that was lit up beautifully. Byt the time I got my easel up, the board on and brushes ready...it was practically gone! (And I'm fast at setting all this up...I have it down now!)
I worked from the bottom watching the changes happening faster and faster.
I actually would have liked to have left more room for the sky...it was gorgeous...but I had such a big focus on the foreground...I didn't plan well.
It was cold.
I need a beanie.
Despite the cold, I did clean my brushes...
Dusk enveloped the area...a stillness permeated the meadow.
Then, frogs started croaking...
132 Paintings of 300
What a surprisingly beautiful morning in the meadow. It had rained during the night and when I left the house, the sky looked a little dreary.
There was a definate chill in the air.
I set-up quickly....I had things to do today and wanted to try and get done quickly. After my board was on the easel I looked to the right and almost gasped...the clouds were floating around the middle of the mountain range to the right. I was very tempted to turn my easel and paint that scene instead...
But, I kept with my original plan and focused on my original scene.
Even though the puffs of clouds weren't in my scene, it was still very cloudy...there was very little difference in value between the darks and lights on the moutnains in the distance.
I started laying in the foreground and cussed at myself for forgetting - -again -- my burnt umber.
The meadows were quiet this morning. The kids weren't out for recess yet; the house behind me hadn't started their music yet; the garbage trucks were in another area of town.
Just as I was getting ready to call it a day, a puff of cloud dropped in to my right. I quickly put it in. Not quite sure I suceeded...but we so rarely see clouds, I have very little practice.
I left the meadow feeling exhilirated and wondered what it would look like later on in the day.
There was a definate chill in the air.
I set-up quickly....I had things to do today and wanted to try and get done quickly. After my board was on the easel I looked to the right and almost gasped...the clouds were floating around the middle of the mountain range to the right. I was very tempted to turn my easel and paint that scene instead...
But, I kept with my original plan and focused on my original scene.
Even though the puffs of clouds weren't in my scene, it was still very cloudy...there was very little difference in value between the darks and lights on the moutnains in the distance.
I started laying in the foreground and cussed at myself for forgetting - -again -- my burnt umber.
The meadows were quiet this morning. The kids weren't out for recess yet; the house behind me hadn't started their music yet; the garbage trucks were in another area of town.
Just as I was getting ready to call it a day, a puff of cloud dropped in to my right. I quickly put it in. Not quite sure I suceeded...but we so rarely see clouds, I have very little practice.
I left the meadow feeling exhilirated and wondered what it would look like later on in the day.
131 Paintings of 300
What a difference 8 hours make!! This morning it was a little nippy...but the sun was out and by the time I left, I was almost ready to take off my hoodie.
Tonight, I was very glad I keep clothes in my car (thanks to my friend and painter extraordinair Kathy McGuire) so I quickly threw on a sweater, zipped up my hoodie and actually put the hood on my head.
It's not only nippy...it felt like it's going to rain!!
I got to work quickly, again using a large brush because it not only felt like it was going to rain, but because I could see rain in the distance on the mountains.
There were a bunch of kids playing on the playground...having fun despite the chill and impeding rain.
A couple of dog walkers (and bike rider "walking" his dog") and teenagers walking around...actually quite a busy time in the meadows despite the weather.
I finished up after about 12 minutes...I felt a little moisture and as I discovered in the beginning of the year...rain and oils don't work!
Tonight, I was very glad I keep clothes in my car (thanks to my friend and painter extraordinair Kathy McGuire) so I quickly threw on a sweater, zipped up my hoodie and actually put the hood on my head.
It's not only nippy...it felt like it's going to rain!!
I got to work quickly, again using a large brush because it not only felt like it was going to rain, but because I could see rain in the distance on the mountains.
There were a bunch of kids playing on the playground...having fun despite the chill and impeding rain.
A couple of dog walkers (and bike rider "walking" his dog") and teenagers walking around...actually quite a busy time in the meadows despite the weather.
I finished up after about 12 minutes...I felt a little moisture and as I discovered in the beginning of the year...rain and oils don't work!
Custom Text
