Fish Creek Plein Air

Weekend Getaway – Watercolor on Arches 140# CP – 7″ x 11″

 

Habored at Fish Creek – Watercolor on Arches 140# CP – 11″ x 7″

Had a great time leading a Watercolor workshop at the Peninsula School of Art. Fun and challenging group of artists. What a joy!

The workshop completed, we  decided to venture into Fish Creek. I took time to paint while my wife relaxed (which is to say, she read a little bit, walked into town to check out a couple shops, got some lunch for us, etc.). The dog slept. I decided to try painting on a new paper. New to me that is. It is paper from Dick Blick’s. In this small size, I found that it acted very similar to Arches. Working watercolor en plein air is an extra challenge. Although I managed my time and paint application well, there is still that test of patience when having to wait for the paper to dry adequately before applying more intense colors into key spots.

Fish Creek Cottage

Fish Creek Cottage – Watercolor on Arches 140# CP – 12″ x 16″

In need for a subject to paint in watercolor, I decided to revisit a design worked in oil paints a couple years ago. It is a challenge to move from oils to watercolor or vice-versa. The need for good planning is magnified with watercolors. Critical to preserve the whites as long as possible. Vital to intensify the initial applications of paint to minimize the chance of mud invading the painting.

On another note, I decided to clean out some inferior works from the studio. Nearly forty paintings on panels and almost two dozen paintings on stretchers bit the dust. Fresh canvas attached to the stretchers and many of the panels recycled to be used in the future, hopefully to more successful results.

Harbored at Fish Creek

Harbored at Fish Creek – Oil on Canvas Panel – 8 x 10

Out for a morning of painting in Door County. Had intention of a scene from the pier. However, the windy conditions, the narrowness of the end of the pier, and the angle of the sun caused me to change my mind. It was partly cloudy. Some beautiful patterns of clouds gave me an idea. Started to paint. About twenty minutes into the work, I had to scrape out the sky and start over, As is sometimes the case, the cloud patterns had changed so dramatically, I had to re-calibrate. Fortunately, this main cloud pattern, though constantly morphing, held fairly steady through the rest of my painting time.

Fish Creek Boathouse

Fish Creek Boathouse; Oil on Canvas Panel 6″ x 8″

Traveled to Door County for a weekend get away. Saturday we made our way over to a beach in Fish Creek. Had a picnic then, while my wife was reading a book and enjoying the sun, I sketched some kayaks setting on the beach. Later I captured a quick little painting of a nearby boathouse.

Malibu Moo’s, Wilsons

Malibu Moos; Plein Air Oil on Canvas Panel 8″ x 10″

Played with this design of Malibu Moo’s, a location across from Clark Park in Fish Creek. The painting which I had attempted earlier  in the day had not gone well. It was a nice to get this done. While I painted, I noticed my wife chatting with some folks near the harbor. Did not surprise me to find out that they were teachers. Anyway, it kept my wife busy long enough to allow me sufficient time to finish this painting.

After lunch, we made a couple quick stops and then up to Ephraim to get a painting of Wilsons. Due to time constraint, I neglected to include people (which are ALWAYS around this establishment). Oh well, maybe next time.

Wilsons; Plein Air Oil on Canvas Panel 8″ x 10″