Sunday 21 October 2012

California Dreaming

I am in California for a holiday visiting my brother and his family. I have taken the opportunity to do a bit of exploring and painting. There is so much that is paintable here, and hundreds of artists painting. The light is very Mediterranean and I am having real issues changing from my English palette. As I am only using 6 basic colours it is a question of mixing differently rather than changing pigments, but it is a useful exercise. I am also trying to take account of what I have learned from my online course with Larry Seiler at the ArtistsNetworkUniversity about colour values. I have pushed the contrasts to give more punch to my painting.

Today I visited some local artists studios, as part of San Luis Obispo Open Art Studio Trail. I particularly chose artists who work in a colourist way, as that is the route I would like to take once I am in my comfort zone working in oils. I feel really inspired now but I am not sure I can handle it yet. It might be wise to experiment in the studio, rather than being overwhelmed by changing colours whilst working in the great outdoors. Tomorrow I am going to visit another artist near here who has been very helpful in pointing me towards painting groups here, perhaps I will ask her advice.




Bayshore Restaurant Morro Bay.
Oils on canvas
9 x 11"









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Location:Morro Bay,United States