Beach Read - plein air painting at the beach

6x6" oil on panel
another from the plein air session - blocking in shapes rather than drawing the figure works best for these.

actually its something to strive for in all my paintings.  I tend to 'draw' with the brush and want to get away from that.

"block in shapes" "squint!"  "where are the darkest darks?" - words to live by

Bathing Beauty - beach plein air painting,blue

6x6"
love this one - the light on her shoulder/arm - yum!  and the big hat - doesnt get much better than that.
stop by the About Face blog and say hi to my son Nick.  click HERE

people watching - plein air painting,beach scenes,blue

6x6"  panel
another painting from the beach - more plein air/people watching.  seriously fun - I did 5 yesterday, stay tuned

Do you want a challenge? - Yellow tank top - plein air, painting people at the beach

6x6" oil on panel
Painting beach scenes from photographs is one thing but if you want a real challenge try some plein air!

1st thing is: if you are tackling people you are basically painting from memory.
 No one stands still long enough.  ever.

2nd: you have to draw a scene super fast - block in the shapes, lights and darks - work hard on capturing a gesture and the values of the scene. where is the light coming from? what are the spine and hips doing? what is it about that person that caught my eye? - all questions I ask myself. - instantly.  seriously you have to be quick.

3rd: use a bigger brush than you think you'll need - this is one I forget and am soooo much happier with the result when I remember

try it! - it will really test your painting chops! 

beach clouds,beach painting.landscape,coastal art

6x6" on cradeled panel
ok so no people here - but the truth is clouds are fun to paint to - lots of personality

Beach Girls - beach painting,playing,blue,ocean,coast

6x6 " oil on cradeled panel.
black sides - ready to hang. 
this time I painted in much the same way as I approach a portrait.  - used a burnt sienna ground, then using a fairly big brush sketched out the composition, adding a little umber to the shadows/darks and wiping the ground away where I want the lightest lights to be.
happy with the feel of this one

Hello Sunshine - flower friday,flower painting,sunflowers

6x6" oil on panel
flower friday - painting a face/figure is like second nature to me.  easy peasy.  but a simple flower?
- yikes - THAT is a challenge!
  But I'm on it - best thing about this 'daily painting' thing is that it really does improve your skills. So I know with time painting flowers will be easy
...at least thats the plan

Summer day 1 - debbie miller,beach painting,people

6x6" oil on cradeled panel.
People. Now thats what I'm talking about.  I just can't get enough of painting people :)

AND I really really really want to be the sketch artist at the Whitey Bulger trial.  I'm super good at capturing a likeness and I am fascinated by this case!

Of course they found him near a beach - everybody loves the beach - even notorious criminals.

Before the Crowd - beach painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on cradled panel

Is there anything better than a walk on an empty beach? 
Probably not.
As for painting the beach, I much prefer a little more action...its all about the people watching for me

Beach Buggy -beach painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on cradeled panel

Thought you might want a closer look...
hmmmm....I could toss my plein air supplies in the back, little dog could ride shot gun...

On the Road - beach painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on cradled panel

Actually saw my dream car yesterday - a torqouise blue vintage convertable VW bug with flower stickers!

SWOON!

Surfers at Purgatory

6x6 oil on cradled panel (makes it easy to hang - no frame required)

One of my favorite spots in RI  - looking down on 2nd beach in Middletown and seeing all the surfers bobbing around on their boards - it wouldn't be summer without it

As much as I love the beach - a sun lover, I am not.
 Its the foggy, put on a sweatshirt days that I love most.

Got a Goal for the Summer?

6x6" oil on canvas.  A Little Beachy.
Ah Summer... hello.  
What are you doing this summer with your art? 
taking a workshop? doing a few outdoor art shows? plein air painting? 
ALL or NONE of the above? 
Its Ok - you can kick back and take a break if you want - we won't judge.

- I've been neglecting my daily painting habit - so its time to kick that back up into high gear.  along with the beachy stuff, I want to practice painting flowers - so you'll be seeing some of those soon
- Also starting an open painting group in my studio - which is something Ive always wanted to do

Cherries - flowers, still life oil painting,debbie miller

6x6" oil on panel.
So the other day - I had planned on staying home and doing laundry and cleaning the house. 
BUT we lost power.
  Had my paints handy and this little scene sitting on my kitchen counter.
Perfect.
 I'ld rather paint anyhoo. 

About Face - a portrait project, faces, debbie miller

My wall is starting to fill up! and I'm hitting my stride with these portraits.  More! I want More!
send me a message if you'ld like to come sit for me.
See more HERE

For the Love of Music

16x16 oil - sold.  this is a commission I did that was a gift for a beloved music teacher - isnt that such a great and special gift?  She must be an amazing teacher... such a nice project to do

National Seashore -daily painting,debbie miller,beach scene

6x6 oil - oh how I love the Cape Cod National Seashore and those huge sand cliffs

OM - daily painting,beach scenes,debbie miller

6x6 oil on panel