Live Event Painting

"The First Dance" 18'x24" pastel on sanded paper

I tried live event painting Saturday night, I figured I would take my plein air experience and trade my bug spray and sun hat for a lamp on my easel and heels. I headed to a wedding reception to paint the experience. It was much harder than I thought, first I have no practice painting crowds. Second having people watching me constantly was different, I am used to the occasional hiker - not constant attention. It was fun, and a good challenge. I may try it again.

About the painting:
I used a circle composition for those of you who study art, and I put the
distance between the bride and groom's faces in the golden mean - that is
the intended focal point. I tried to keep the rest dark, but imply the
crowd. The little girl dragging her dad onto the dance floor (or him
dragging her off) is intended to be an arrow pointing you to the focal
point.

Neal-en plein air

Neal - en plein air oil on canvas 20"x24"

I had a great day of painting Saturday; I finished the oil I had been working on. I like to paint alla prima, but my time didn't allow for that on this painting. I decided to try something new... I have always frozen my palette between uses, and the paint defrosts and is perfect to continue using. I wondered if I could do the same thing with my painting - the answer is yes. I froze the painting after the initial blocking and laying in the shadows. I took it out of the deep freeze - and presto it was as if I never stopped painting.

Plein Air Painter

Plein Air Painter 8"x10" pastel on sanded paper

I have been thinking about building a website for about 10 years, but I never seem to get around to it. So today I am starting this blog. My hope is to show you some of my art, discuss plein air painting and techniques, and give you information on my classes and workshops.

This is a pastel study that I did for an oil comission. The oil is on my easel. I did this study quickly using a limited number of pastels - I want the oil to capture the same freshness.