Beach painting

I FINALLY got to the beach and did some plain air painting.  So nice to get out there and just paint!!  

I did a bunch of 6x6" oil on panel. I'll post a new one each day with a link to purchase

South Shore Beach - plein air painting, Debbie Miller

South Shore Beach 12x12" oil on panel $300

 

The big waves drew me to the shore - then I remembered my paints were in the car - no easel and a bunch of crappy brushes but I managed  

A Gathering - plein air, daily painting, debbie miller

6x6" oil
So great seeing everyone during the Warren Walkabout today!

Sunshine shoulders, beach plein air painting

6x6" oil on panel.  plein air.
 Squint,squint, squint.  my mantra with these.  really helps get the values right. 
go ahead - squint at this one - you'll see what I mean.

this painting will be with me, along with many more of my paintings in Wickford, RI this weekend for the
art festival
 Instead of in a tent, I'll be showing my paintings on the porch at The Wickford Collection - super cool shop you won't want to miss.
come by and say Hi!

Digging the Beach - plein air beach painting

6x6" oil on panel.
More quick studies.  - actually this boy stayed like this for quite a while - very busy making his castle. 

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

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! 

Dog Walk - plein air beach scene,Debbie Miller

6x6 oil on panel.


another quick plein air. try as I might, just can't Not put the people that pass by in the painting.
Its such good practice.


New portrait over at the "About Face" blog - check it out HERE

Meet me at the Beach - plein air beach painting,debbie miller

6x6" oil on panel Another plein air sketch of beach goers - a group of 20-something friends going for a walk. Love this spot - and the dunes/rocky coast combination - typical Little Rhody

My Coast - plein air beach scene, Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on panel In between sketching the beach walkers, the rocks and waves got their turn to be painted. So RI to me - the huge rocks along the coast. I just love them.

Want to Pick up the Pace? - plein air beach scene,debbie miller

6x6" oil on panel.

Spent the first real spring-like afternoon doing some plein air painting at the beach - at Warrens Pt. in Little Compton, RI.

My plan was to do studies of the waves and rocks - and I did do that but you know I cant resist painting the people!

This is THE best way to improve your powers of observation and to learn to paint faster! Really, you are painting your memory of the scene - a gesture of the person. Its challenging, difficult and wicked fun ;)

Adamsville

6x6 oil - another from the marathon day of plein air painting. - what a treat to paint a snow scene but have it be 50 degrees out.

Autumn Woods 2 - daily painting plein air landscape

6x6" oil - every year during this week I HAVE to go outside and paint - and it has to be trees - Ive got a thing for dark trunks against the orange leaves.
Also has to be loose and painterly, I want to capture the feeling of being in the woods this time of year not every branch,leaf or twig

Autumn Woods - plein air painting by Debbie Miller

6x6 oil - a plein air from last year - havent gotten out yet this fall and the leaves will soon be gone! This is a favorite from last year - shows signs of the desire to go more abstract and loose

fall favorilte

6x6" oil - a favorite from a year ago - painted at Brickyard Pond -hoping to get some autumn plein air time in next week

Red Trunks - beach scenes, oil plein air landscapes

6x6" oil
sat by myself at the beach last week and painted...nice breeze, gorgeous out... and today got caught in a summer shower while walking the dog.... makes me smile

Beach Girl - plein air,beach scenes,children playing at the beach

6x6" oil - beginning of a 'working vacation' for me :) - not going anywhere just spending the next two weeks painting up a storm.

This beach girl was painted from life (plein air) - MUCH harder than working from photos - but the spontaneity and energy cant be beat.

Bristol Harbour - daily painting, my october 7, plein air

6x6" oil plein air. Boy have I been slacking on my daily painting lately!! This is a little plein air painted from my car last week - that counts right?

Very busy with commissions and framing up new works for galleries for the holiday season.

psst----its gift giving time and original works of art make great gifts!!!

The Journey - My October - 6,plein air,landscape

10"x20" oil on canvas. $400
They say its all about the journey..... couldnt agree more. this little challenge for myself - painting outside everyday from life - is teaching me so much...for one thing I REALLY like painting outside...2.- french easel is better than pochade box...unless painting in the car!...3.-Squinting IS reeaally important.... 4.- edges are key...need to pay more attention...5.-I am soooo lucky to get to do this today....and so on,and so on....