Old Homestead - Plein Air painting of a Pioneer House near Yellow Springs, Ohio

This is one of the paintings I completed in the workshop with Tim Horn that turned out okay. The subject was an 1820's pioneer home nestled in the woods. I thought the red of the house would contrast nicely with the spring greens in the foliage.

The owner told me the brick in the house is orgiginal and it was in great shape, proving yet again that they just don't make things like they used to.

9" x 12" Pioneer Home

Plein Air on a Cloudy Day in Ohio

I enjoy painting outside on cloudy days for two reasons. First of all, the light is consistent. Or I should say it's more consistent than it is on sunny days, when shadows move more quickly and it's more difficult to capture them accurately. Secondly, the light is beautiful and pure on an overcast day, and there is little, if any, glare. My eyes have become more sensitive lately and glare makes it impossible for me to paint. Wearing polarized sunglasses is one option but not the best when you're trying to pick up the delicate value changes in a landscape.

This is a scene from Licking County, painted last Saturday. I was drawn to the scene when the sun was shining and I pulled over and set up my easel only to have the sun hide behind clouds just as I was ready to paint, Rather than move, I accepted the scene as it was--it was still very beautiful to me, just in a different way. Soybean fields attract me every year at this time.

12" x 16" oil on linen