en plein air painting Archives - Dora Sislian Themelis Art

Plein Air or Daily Painting?

In the last few months of my art journey, between listening to Mr. Resistance and trying to fend him off, I was intrigued by two kinds of art processes: the daily painting and plein air painting.

As I would love to be one of those intrepid daily painters, I’m not sure I can hack it.

Yes, I’ve been painting in twenty minute segments and getting work done that way. But real daily painting? And to be responsible enough to post that work? Hmm, maybe that’s not me.

Then there’s the plein air painter. Also an intrepid bunch of folk, some of who trudge out to remote locations to paint the scenery. I would love to be one of those artists, and I have done that, but not really equipped the way some are. I am working on that though because I think I could be one.

Then again, I do get anxious thinking I’m all alone somewhere, which I like, but it’s scary too. Anyone one could be lurking about, with little old me happily painting away unaware.

I had an opportunity to join a local group of artists who meet once a month to paint at a local plant and garden nursery. That was great fun to see flowers, tractors, fall scenery, and a rocky waterfall.

I particularly enjoyed the waterfall, and the tractor which I already showed you here.

Take a look at the waterfall sketches I did in my Moleskin notebook:

Quick sketches in micron pen with watercolor washes, and straight watercolor work without pen sketching. The idea was just to get something down on the paper, the feel of the subject, some color and light. That’s it.

Imagine, I did three sketches outside! Next up, I’m investigating outdoor painting easels and pochade boxes. Maybe if I am well equipped I can make the plein air thing happen more often, but nearby, in full view of civilization so I don’t get scared!

Daily Paintings 4 and 5 The Challenge Continues

The 30/30 Painting Challenge continues with these two works for Day 4 and Day 5. As you can tell, I’m trying to keep up. Posting to the blog and where ever has been a bigger challenge than the painting.

Day 4

Day 4 SeaShells, 8×10 Acrylic on stretched canvas ©2014 Dora Sislian Themelis

This acrylic was done from direct observation of the shells I’ve collected from the local beach. I love looking at them so it was a natural thing to paint them. I’m still not thrilled with acrylic paints.

Day 5

And here, my lovelies, is a little plein air sketch done at the actual beach. I collected a few of these interesting shells, put them together to paint. I did sketch with a Micron pen first, then went to color. I don’t know why I love it so much. Maybe it was being at the beach with the quiet waves, the warm sun, the peacefulness of the place.

I know I’m behind in posting my additions to the challenge, but I am working at it, rest assured.

Painting Workshop at Bethesda Fountain in NYC

The Angel on Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, NYC

Needing to keep current here, and as the fall season moves along, it’s time to share one of my summer adventures. Not that my summer was so chock full of adventure or excitement, well it sort of was, but who needs to hear gory details, except for the fun stuff. Right? Of course.

There short of it is like this: We finally decided to visit Greece. I also signed up for a plein air workshop in New York City’s Central Park with an artist I happened upon online, thinking the lesson will do very well as I planned to paint while away. However, I was side-lined and never made the class, almost didn’t make the trip, but I persevered and thankfully, we did.

After our return I was able to make up my lost workshop day and enjoyed painting outdoors in the city. It’s something I had never done before.

The artist/instructor Anne Kullaf, was wonderful, had great info and style of working. She demonstrated her oil paint technique and showed me how she works in watercolors. We were alike in that we both sketch/draw in watercolor paint rather than plan in pencil then add color. And the site at Bethesda Fountain in the middle of Central Park was a great place to work. I had never been in that area of the park before either. It was rather impressive.

Here’s how my day looked in pictures:

72nd and Fifth Avenue entrance to Central Park

Strawberry Fields dedication to John Lennon in Central Park. Lots of hippies and people just standing around looking at this. Excuse me please, can I get by?

Anne Kullaf at work on the oil demo amid the din of aspiring opera singers practicing at the side, rendering me close to deaf. How about shut up? Sorry, I had to rant here.

By the third painting I was hitting my stride, but I was also hot and tired. It was a good experience and something I should continue to do.