Painting California – a deep dive into painting “plein air”
… and what is “plein air” painting anyway?
There I am, on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, standing in front of a rocky outcropping encircling a tiny cove,.
I stand and look for a long time, soaking in the blue and emerald green water, the scent of salt and scrub, the hint of fog on my skin.
Waves crash in and recede, white sea-spray tossed up in the air then lingering round black outcroppings. Above, the sky darkens and then lightens again as clouds shift and the sun emerges.
Painting “en plein air”, I’m righ there painting directly from the landscape – not from a photograph, not in your studio, not at a remove.
I’m in it!
And it’s glorious.
The energy – the immediacy – the directness – and the constant infusion of Nature’s healing powers (plus a master lesson of color and light) make this an unparalleled way of working.
Enjoy these new pieces from my latest California foray!
I had a blast!
