Friday, August 17, 2007

painting en plein air in Summer heat

Painting en plein air in August in 95+ degree heat is a challenge. I started out early on Monday, the 13th, and parked beside the covered bridge in Tunnel Hill. The little creek was murmuring its way south, and I was pleased that there were enough trees to give shade for a few hours. The painting of the old oak still needs a few tweeks here and there and will be posted soon. When I'm out painting, I'm thinking of those other plein air painters who love the challenge of capturing nature on canvas or paper.

To quote Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone!"

7 comments:

Phyllis Russell Franklin said...

God bless you BJ. Hope you had a cooler full of ice and took good breaks. :)

I spent today at the gallery with the AC on and it was still hot.

bj said...

If I have everything ready to go out the door, I can usually leave home about 7:30am. The Tunnel Hill park is just about 2 miles from home, so I can be there fast. If I can paint until about 9 or 9:30, I feel I have done my PA painting for the day.

Yes, a wet towel around the neck and a jug of ice water makes it better. We gotta love being outside in God's green South to do what we do!!

wanda knight said...

BJ, I am looking forward to viewing the finished painting. Thanks for looking at my "Kentucky Hills". I wish I could say it is a plein air painting but I confess I used a photo.

bj said...

I painted for several years from photos I had taken. At that time I was still working full time at the Post Office - so my time was not my own. But I retired in January, so now I get outside to paint whenever I want to (and when the weather cooperates).

It took some time to learn the tricks of plein air painting (and I'm still learning) but since I've been painting outdoors, that's the best way for me. I hope you can venture outside and try it.

Don't be discouraged at first. Just keep painting and you'll learn to love it, too.

Lori McNamara said...

Its looking good BJ! Very good getting out there!

bj said...

Thanks, Lori, for the vote of confidence!

wanda knight said...

I just read your comment on my comment about plein air painting. I see where you retired in January. Well I sold my Custom Frame Shop in January. So you might say we started our new adventure at the same time.