Archway at Oldbridge

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Comment by deirdre shanny on February 24, 2012 at 20:09

Nice one paddy.Keep up the good work Heres my tuppence worth of suggestions.................Keep your canvas small,[ maybe either a 10"x8", or 12"x10] that way you are sure to get them somewhat to a finishes painting state.[ you can always enlarge that study at home in your studio from the days paint out . As norah said ...maybe work off a limited palette is a good idea, Aim for simplicity[  get the big shapes in, leave details till last]Consider perspective and proportion esp with buildings.Trees and  bushes etc don't read to wrong when painted whereas buildings need to be some what correct.Your lead in great and the view through the arch is really inviting.Love your sky.we are all struggling paddy See you sat .

Comment by Sean Quinn on February 23, 2012 at 11:54

Another idea, Paddy, is to  do some of the colour mixing at home before you go out.   So for acrylics in an airtight box, you could have pre-mixed  tones for the sky, with the same tones being good for distant mountains or water,     beige coloured tones ready for rocks or walls  and tones  of  green for trees or grass.     You could quickly modify any of the above on the spot to meet the nuances of the situation.    I believe that  some of the famous Impressionists worked like this.

Comment by sally downey on February 22, 2012 at 23:43

I like this Paddy. Very strong geometric shapes. I know how you feel  about completing en plein air. I've been delighted with myself for the last three outings because  I got my pic more or less finished in the hour and a half.  Not sure why but I think it has to do with a preliminary tonal sketch.  I've started doing them on the iphone and i guess the iphone doesn't lie. By implication, my tonal sketches mustn't have been too accurate. So stick with it.. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it quicker than I've done.  See you Saturday.

Comment by Norah Blount on February 22, 2012 at 18:14

I think in this cold weather it is difficult (for me anyway) even to get a pencil sketch done and I find it better to do this as it is difficult especially in a new place to just set up and end up with a painting - I remember John Dinan saying at one of his courses that you need to walk around to familiarise yourself with the area and you have to really like the subject (no. 1 in his six steps) and with limited time on these saturdays you are doing well to produce a painting I think.  I just did pencil sketching and on my next visit to the areas I will not have to waste time looking for a place I like.  I also think you need the right equipment and a limited palette - I find a half box french easel the best as it is steady and has room for everything and is light for carrying.  I can see from this painting that your studio style is coming across in your plein air work and I would hold on to this !

I started late last summer to paint in the garden as it gave me easy oppurtunity to decide what you need to bring when heading off out to paint (I still find it difficult to set up outside and I like to "hide" away with my sketchbook but am determined to start using oils next time out !!! I prob cant make it for next few sats so enjoy