#1 of 100 Series - 'At Rest'

Here are the first examples of '100 Series' Plein Air Painting. Let the discussions begin!  This day was a beautiful clear beach day in the low 70s.  The air was very still along the northern California coast, the sun was shinning, it was about 1pm in the afternoon.  Nice scenes were available in several directions.  I chose this one to tell the story of this young couple at rest after a fun morning of surfing.  They are organized with their supplies and shade tent.  Their chairs were carefully chosen for relaxation.  And they are obviously in sync with each other.  Ok, on to the more technical part. 

The first photo is the actual scene, the next is the initial sketch,the third is the block-in of darks, lights and a hint of the local color.  The fourth photo is more local color added.  Still unfinished, and may stay unfinished, this example is meant for analysis.  So let's get started. First I will step back and analyze the stages.  You are welcome to follow along.  After a couple of days, the next post will offer insight on drawing, values, color temperature, edges and composition for 'At Rest'.  Constructive comments welcome.

It has been several days and I have read more than 150 pages in 'Alla Prima' by Richard Schmid, AGAIN.  One thing I know for sure, knowledge precedes skill.  What I know for sure, the painting does not convey what interested me in the scene.  But, because I am very optimistic, let's start with what is working in 'At Rest'.

What is working in 'At Rest', well, I had a lovely time at the beach.  The couple gazed a long time at the ocean, their surfboard and shade tent nearby, all beckoned to be painted. The scene conveyed a contented pair relaxing by the water following a morning of surfing. 


Did the design and drawing work?   The subject and supporting elements are no longer at eye level.  Eye level is somewhere up near the distant mountains. The planes are somewhat foreshortened.  Had the planes appeared expansive, distant and far-reaching, the sense of relaxation would have come through. The background, middle ground and foreground values are very close creating a somewhat flat appearance.  The edges in each plane are the same also creating a flat look.

This is a simple design that has me much perplexed.  It will continue to challenge me.  I will solve the problems and triumph!

Knowledge proceeds skill. Next is 'Evening Train in La Selva Beach'