my first plein air painting

I used Golden Opens to do this first attempt at plein air. When I was starting, a canoe took off from the dock. I took several pictures for later reference, especially of the canoe which I think will add a lot of interest in the landscape. Here's one of the photos.

Here is the painting as far as I finished at at the site.
Once I add the canoe, I'll post the finished painting hopefully with better photography than this.
Judy

Beautiful reflections. One note - watch the angle of the end of the dock.

Judy,
The trees and colors are looking great -- I always wondered how to capture it all with the light changing throughout the day. Taking a picture will help with that. As always I am captivated by the steps and work you all do. Thank you for sharing, Dana

Thanks Dale and Dana. I already adjust the dock once, but now that I'm back home, I'm going to correct it. It is definitely wrong.

As for the changing light and shadows, I was always threatened by that, but I took the advise of people doing plein air on a regular basis and actually roughly painted in all dark areas first. It looked really weird, but when I started doing the trees, I knew exactly where one tree started and another one ended.

It meant that I didn't have to focus so much on tree placement as I painted, but more on what colors and shapes I was seeing.

Really a lot more fun than I thought.

Judy

Thank you for the advice of putting in the darks and high lights so you can know where the light is coming from.

I have never done this kind of painting --- a little scary for me, but always up for a good adventure. I’ll be scouting out areas to do this. Then there’s waiting for the weather here in Seattle, seems like the warmer—sunny days have been fewer than normal for this time of year, but then maybe we’ll have lovely fall this year.

Also, great encouragement to get started -- Dana

Here's the finished painting with revisions and additions done here at home. Sorry for the picture, but it is raining one more time.

Judy

Thank you for sharing -- sorry to hear it's raining there again, today the sun comes and goes, but no rain. I like the changes you have made to the dock and the trees have wonderful light in them. Thank you, dana

Thanks Dana,
The photo doesn't do it justice especially on the blue ripples in the water. They look much better in the real picture. The little people in the boat were really hard because the whole picture is only 9 x 12.
Judy

It is difficult to get detail in a small painting...the place looks so lush and beautiful though. Dana

I like the way you developed the painting, Judy. The dock and water look great, and your colours are so vibrant your scene really comes to life.

Very nice painting Judy! Looks like a very peaceful setting.

Thanks. It really was a fun experience which I plan to repeat as soon as the sun shines again.
Judy

I wish my first plein-air painting had been half that good! You've handled all that green on green really well. How did you like using the GOs for painting outside?

I thought I answered you about the GO but I must have forgotten to send it after I previewed it. The GO worked very well. I especially like them because you can reactivate them with a damp brush if you want to do some finer blending of another color with them. I have been using a wet palette also, so that makes a big difference.
Judy

judy