Painting the Figure in the Landscape

My second challenge at the Sauder Village paintout: a painting of someone who was actually moving-- and an hour and 15 minutes time to do it in. I always work better with a deadline so I looked at my watch and asked the man if he was going to be stirring the kettle of soap mush for awhile. He said he woudl be there until 3:00 PM. I needed to head back to the Museum for the critique by 2:30 PM so I decided to give it a try. I love trying new things anyway and I had never painted painted anyone outside before or anyone who was moving. On top of this I had a curious audience of four children who talked to me the whole time I worked on the painting. THAT doesn't bother me; in fact I enjoy showing kids what is possible with paint and of course their generous praise is always gratifying.

Challenges I faced with this painting included smoke blowing into my face, a constantly moving model, smoldering and sometimes crackling fire and figuring out how to paint the steam as it roiled off the soap. I enjoyed every minute though. A small painting that captures the movement well and it will serve nicely as a reference for a larger piece.

The Soap Maker

8" x 10"

Sauder Paintout - May 12

Saturday I coordinated a paintout at historic Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio. The weather cooperated-- mild and mid 70s and most of the painters left with at least one good painting. Everyone who came was delighted with the relaxed atmosphere and the charming costumed workers and volunteers. I found my first painting challenging-- to say the least! Sometimes I am the girl who goes to the banquet and wants to eat everything in site! I spotted the General Store and to me it embodied everything about this quaint little village so I wanted to paint it! Half way into the painting I realized I had bitten off more than I could chew. I am really throwing out the food analogies tonight! Must be hungry. I wanted to be done by 12:30pm so I could eat lunch so I really sped up the process and finished the piece in lightning quick time. The ornaments hanging on the porch become paint blobs and pretty much all detail was subjugated. I wanted to move on to something else.

Lauber's General Store

11" x 14"

Eight of the Crafters at Sauder Village

Last month I created eight paintings from photos I took at Sauder Village when I was there in Sept. 2009. They are all 8" x 10" and I am hoping to sell prints in the General Store at the Village. Need to approach Juanita yet.

Sauder Village paint out with OPAS August 16, 2010

The Ohio Plein Air Society, of which I am a proud member, sponsored a paint out at Sauder Village in Archbold, OH last Saturday. It rained all week and cleared up for the weekend so I was grateful as I was a co-sponsor of the event. I did two paintings: a scene of the adjoining farm in the morning and later after a group critique I took my bored daughter home and returned to the village green where an Antique Car show was in progress. I quickly chose a bright red car as my subject and set up the French easel (my speed at setting this up is improving--- really, it is).
Knowing I had exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes before the Village closed gave me a deadline to finish and I always paint better, faster and looser if I know there is a deadline. Here is Don's 1929 Cabrolet (sp?) which he purchased as soon as I finished.
Below it is the landscape, which I brought home and tweaked a bit. The horse was not recognizable as such until I worked it a bit more.
All in all, a great day of plein air painting.