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>My first plein air efforts!

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Well, to be able to paint “en plein air” is something probably most artists hope to achieve at some point in their lives. Some are more fortunate and get to do this on a daily basis. Today was my first effort in this and it was lovely in what I was able to experience, but the set up and all that proved … cumbersome to say the least. And trying to paint in sand? Not so much! Even though I had a great blanket spread out and the painting box with easel. The problem arose because we’d brought Smokey and, well, let’s just say dogs, sand, and watercolor painting do not mix…

When I got back to our rental home and looked at them after they dried, I am afraid I ruined them with the dark markers I used to liven up the color of the grasses. Too heavy handed, me thinks.

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>We’re going on vacation!

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These are from my class yesterday but my mind wasn’t really into it…

The hubby, dog and I are going to Florida Sunday for a week’s vacation in Gulf County where dogs are permitted on the beach all the time… I can’t wait to eat the fresh seafood (Tennessee, as you may be aware, is landlocked), and walk along the beaches, explore the water, take photos of sunsets, and etc. I also look forward to testing my hand at some plein air watercolor paintings and will try my first acrylics, too, in that low-pressure environment, I think.

I have a few books from the library to bring down on acrylic painting, and have learned quite a lot on how to set them up from others in the class who often paint in acrylics instead of watercolors.

Don’t get me wrong, watercolors are nice but I think I’m too rigid to feel too comfortable with them and may have more success with acrylics. From what I understand they are more forgiving. Besides, I have that starter set from my kit. Might as well use it, right?

Well, off I go… wish me luck!