Morning Light, Aroboretum

Pastel on Wallis, 9x6

I painted this scene across the lake at the Jacksonville Arboretum.  In the spring, green is such a dominant color that it is a challenge to represent a scene effectively, but this view is such a delight to paint with the early morning light blazing across the new foliage.

Ragged Marsh

Pastel on sanded Arches, 15x11

Plein air painting at Castaway Island Preserve, Jacksonville.

In the morning, the views across the marsh to the line of pine and cedar trees are always full of mystery and contrast. 

The summer is coming and the colors are turning from reds and brown to green and gold.  The cedar trees provide the solid, deep shadows and the various kinds of marsh grass throw in the color.  The pine trees stand above oaks, cedars, and underbrush as “tree herders” watching over their ragged and tangled charges.

Note on cameras: I use a Canon ELPH 320 HS, but I have not been completely satisfied with the color and contrast of photos of my paintings.  I did some experimenting this afternoon with manual settings and found the results were much more satisfactory.  I set the camera for "cloudy" daylight.  The colors are still slightly too green, but I can adjust that with just a touch from Photoshop.

"After the Shower"

Pastel on UArt, 9x6, en plein air

The First Coast Pastel Society joined the First Coast Plein Air Painters for a paint out at Tide Veiw Preserve, a local park with board walks over the salt marsh. This piece was painted between passing showers and intermittent clouds and sunshine.

This piece was painted using a limited pallet in order to emphasize the clear, bright colors of the salt marsh. I used purple and lavender to tone the green especially in the distance and in the shadows. At the end of summer, the spartina is so green and yellow that it is almost blinding when it is washed by rain.

Sandy Pathways

Oil of canvas panel - 12x9

En Plein Air

Sold

These converging / diverging paths in the woods caught my attention as did the live oak with the yellow/orange leaves. At this time of year, the live oaks lose their leaves - some before others - and the contrast of dark green against the golden yellow was the part of the scene that caught my eye.

This panel was painted en plein air at the Ringhaver Park as part of the First Coast Plein Air Painters paint out. This particular scene is well off the paved path, and I only saw one other painter all day.

Last of Winter

Oil on canvas panel - 12x9

En plein air

Sold

I captured this scene across the Intercoastal Waterway. It was early morning with the tide way out when I started, and I finished just at lunch time and the tide was almost high. That's one of the difficulties of painting water.

I did the sky and water first because I knew thy would be the first to change. Then I blocked in the shadows for the deepest values. Next I blocked in the broad shapes and masses of color. Then I finished with details and edges.

I had to work quickly because the sand gnats have arrived.

Morning Fog on the Marsh

Oil on canvas panel - 12x9

I began this painting en plein air yesterday morning, but when I got the "thing" home, I decided to rework it. This is the result.

For this work, I used almost exclusively cadmium orange, ultramarine violet, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow medium and a touch of some burnt umber with lots of white. For a medium, I found that Liquin works best en plein air for me because it dries quickly and it spreads with a texture I can manage.

This view of the marsh is from the Atlantic Boulevard causeway on the beach side of the Intercoastal Waterway. I parked my truck next to the guard rail and set up just on the other side. One guy honked as he passed - I jumped and had a mark to paint out.

Boone Park Bridge

Oil on linen panel 10x8

Painted en plein air this morning at Boone Park. I have not retouched or added to this piece in the studio. Picture shows some sky-reflection, but it's the best I have at this time.

Analysis

• Used #4 & #6 flat synthetic bristle brushes - larger than I usually use
• Liquin is very thixatrophic - need to be aware of that - can thin to washes unexpectedly
• Working quickly w/o a drawing on canvas - the result somewhat "Cezanne -esque"

Elements to consider - Exuberance of the act of painting in this piece trumped the need for detail and correction of color or composition once the original composition was established.

Low Tide

Pastel on UArt 12x9

Not for sale

The First Coast Plein Air Painters had a paint-out today at Castaway Island Park. Several of us showed up to enjoy the perfect weather and the beautiful views of the salt marsh and estuaries. I did this painting on UArt 800 with Rembrandt pastels. The sanded paper holds the pastel but makes broad blending difficult. I'm still learning to use smaller amounts of different colors juxtaposed in order to accomplish visual blending of color.

As I was finishing up and getting ready to add the reflections in the water, the wind came up. It's not easy to paint on paper that is flapping in the breeze, so I come home and will "finish up" later.

En Plein Air Outing

I took my pastels to the Little Jetties - to work on the view across the Intercoastal Waterway. This was my first outing with pastels in more than two years. There were some things with which I am pleased, and much that I need to learn.

Here are some pictures for reference.

rjp