“Boardwalk to the Beach”

Oil     6”x8”     Canvas Board

I haven’t had much opportunity to paint palm trees, so I had to try a close-up version of one on my last morning in Florida. So many different greens, it’s hard to get enough variety in them, while also concentrating on composition, depth, value, detail, balance, etc. in the space of about two hours before the light changes too much to continue. There are way too many things to think about and try to analyze while doing a painting. The trick is to get into the “zone” and just have fun.

“Sun and Sea”

Oil     6”x8”      Canvas Board

Another painting from about the same vantage point as yesterday’s, only looking a little more to the east, toward the rising sun. The sun was just behind the clouds, casting a yellow glow on everything. I love when there’s glare on the water, but I find it’s really hard to get it to look as bright as it actually appears. I don’t know the trick, but I’m going to keep trying to figure it out.

“Canaveral Beach”

Oil     6”x8”     Canvas Board

A slightly different subject than my usual landscapes! I spent the past week in Florida and managed to do some painting on location. I haven’t painted outdoors since around the first of November, so it was great to get out of the studio and enjoy the sun and sounds of the surf…even the wind felt good since it didn’t involve a “wind chill” factor. I’m a little rusty at solving all the challenges of plein air painting, but I can’t wait until it’s warm enough here at home to get out and paint again regularly.