Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Wind-Blown ... Water-Soaked... Yet Glad of It!

Yesterday... July heaved quite a lot more than a sigh... and a wave farewell... as she came to an abrupt end. My class of two this week were working directly across the road from our residence painting the stately Victorian Captain Carnegie or the Andress House as it is referred to these days. I had selected this site based upon the fact that a forecast of continued heat... humidity and the very strong possibility (60%) of afternoon thunderstorm activity compelled me to consider shade and a quick retreat for cover as the major considerations for the class location.

It turned out a good choice... given that these conditions did occur... and the wonderful shade of the three ancient oaks... plus a continuous light and cool westerly breeze made painting a real pleasure! Besides this fact... there was a large picnic table for my water media enthusiasts to set up on which looked directly at the subject. I set up my easel alongside and in front a touch... allowing them to follow my demo and my work as I progressed... without having to get up from their own work stations. It so reduced the back n' forth which can really tire the aged feet of this painter... so very relaxing and enjoyable for all!

One of the gals works in watercolour, while the other works in acrylics. I demo'd using their mediums in previous sessions and neither was uncomfortable with my using oil to demo in the following sorties. I constantly remind them of the basic difference between water media and oils and to apply the rule:

"Light to dark... in transparent washes in water colour. Dark to light in transparent stains in oils with glazing or addition of stronger pigment application as one proceeds. Acrylic can work either way because they dry more quickly and can be over painted without worry. By following this pathway... we could work together with more or less the same plan of attack towards a finish.

None of us achieved a final state of finish... due to the fact that the lighting changed dramatically towards the late afternoon... as the storm conditions moved in. I got along further because I had painted the scene twice before and therefore knew when the shadows on the faces of the building parts would change... and I was already prepared to make those changes.... QUICKLY!

I demonstrated the value of taking a quick digital reference photo when the lighting that you want is strong... and available. This can then be carried back to the studio for future consideration to support the work completed ... en plein air. I promised to jpeg this photo to them so that they could each work further with their individual piece and to bring to share with the group next time.







At noon hour... Deb and I hosted a cold luncheon...  a relaxing time for us to share work from the previous time together... " Palette Talk"... and of course some summer food! It was a glorious opportunity to be together... doing what we all share a passion for... In God's Green Garden... Manitouana... Garden of Manitou (God)... as the First People's called it! On this last day of July... 2012... it is surely that! Does life get any better????

"We"... think not! "We"... are deeply blessed! Stay tuned for the finished results!

Good Painting to ALL!

Oh yes... about the Wind-blown and Water-soaked part! At just after four pm... the weather turned nasty as the gun metal grey skies were etched in continuous snaps and  strikes of lightning... the air echoing with repeated thunder rolls.l The wind swung unpredictably from the west... to the east and then dead out of the south almost at will... and then repeated the pattern again. Trees were laid out in gale force winds as the rain hammered down on the previously parched pavement... producing that wonderful perfume only smelled at such times in hot summer conditions. It was fearfully... "electric" to watch and be a part of!

Boaters headed to the docks and held their craft from being battered against the south-facing docks at the marina as the storm raged. Wendy's tent... once secure and beside our picnic table painting site disappeared up the road to the top of the hill before anyone could rescue it. And as suddenly as it had come... the storm departed... leaving the rest of the evening in the form of a much-needed soaking.... a gardener's delight!

Such is life in the Thousand Island village of Rockport- usually quiet in the evenings... but never without the possibility... of SURPRISE!!

10 comments:

  1. I love a good storm, lucky you! It washes away the old and brings in fresh and new.

    I'm enjoying these plein air sorties you have a way of writing that makes the reader feel part of the group. Looking forward to the next.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi there Lisa!.... Absolutely right!.... The air was so fresh and new when I ventured out at 5am this morning around an empty of people... dust and debris village... with just the gulls and an osprey to share the time and solitude with! Wonderfully uplifting... and a great start to the day!

    Glad that the posts give you that feeling Lisa! That is certainly my intent! Oh that we (our blogging family could share a plein air outing together... whenever... wherever! What a time that be!

    I am currently working with other members of the Rockport Development Group members in planning for the 2nd Annual Rockport Plein Air Paint Out... to be held on the weekend of September Th thru' Th, 2012!

    Stay tuned for more details in my next post!

    Good Painting! Thanks for dropping by and for the uplifting and encouraging comments Lisa!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good morning Bruce,
    Reading your post while sipping my coffee. Once again you have managed to bring Rockport to Long Island. How lucky the ladies are to have you to guide them. Yes I can smell the rain and it is delightful, nothing like a good summer rain to wash away the heat and humidity. We are having hot humid conditions today, but I plan to go out and paint in my garden.
    It is going on 5:36am. I am eager to start my day. Looking forward to your next post.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good Morning back to you Joan!... and I am sipping and readying myself for the day as well!

    Obviously again... we share so many like habits and rituals... as well as a deep and abiding passion for painting!

    The ladies... like you are fun to be with... they are so motivated to learn and to improve. As well... their families reared... they are reaching into a zone of freedom which for so many years was reserved for others who depended upon them. They have surely earned... and now have discovered a new world of wonder and accomplishment which drives them to seek more. And they do... each and every class show great strides of improvement!

    Good luck with your "garden party!" Mind the heat!

    Good Painting and Happy Painting Joan! Thanks for dropping by!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  5. I so love storms (as long as no one gets hurt, that is). Your day sounds fantabulous, Bruce, and your painting is exquisite. I love the looks of the lady's watercolor too. Oh to paint half as well!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi there Sherry!... Good to hear from you! We share the love of storms... art... family cabins wilderness... my Goodness! We share the best things in life!

    You paint just as well in reality Sherry. If only someone could convince you to believe that! Life would be a lot more fulfilling for you!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Bruce, what a sudden change in the weather. I think we need to consider a category of "Plein-Air Demonstrator" - a kind of advanced certificate. Not only do you have to be a master of painting outdoors, but you also need to be able to handle the logistics of catering for a party of people, as well as preparing for sudden changes of weather. Needless to say you have passed the exam with flying colours!

    All the best,
    Keith

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good Morning Keith!... Thank you for your kind and amusing description of last Tuesday's post!

    Painting en plein air is exactly as you have described: pre-planning... for readiness... the weather dictates all matter of things... and luck! HA HA! That's the chief ingredient!

    We really did enjoy ourselves... all of us. Each of my group participants has the fire in them... and are searching. I am most pleased to share my ideas and process to help them on their journey!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great post Bruce, and a great painting too. I'm struggling to look after myself when out painting, let alone do a demonstration. Hats off to you.
    All the best
    John

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi there John!... Thanks for the visit and for the kind remarks!

    Many years of plein air painting prepares one for many situations... one of them where one has time and energy to share time. Time is the main trial in outdoor work. It can work against you. Time management is a very important skill to master in plein air painting!

    Good Painting!... and Happy Summer!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete