Blog

 Spring in the Canyon

My challenge, for the last few months, has been getting back in the rhythm after a break from painting.

I started by believing in the process and returning to fundamentals: working on location, drawing to get to know the subject, painting small color and composition studies and then incorporating all I have learned into a finished painting.

The brush mileage has helped as well. It feels good being back to work!

Artists at work in Harmony 2013

For the workshop I taught last week we worked on exercises to improve composition and design skills. We were able to get in color studies and work on understanding the value, temperature and color connection in the paintings.

It was intense and fabulous results showed in the final critique.

Dedicated artists put up with perfect weather, not so perfect weather and gusting winds. Easel management in the wind is critical and everyone had their easel disasters on the way to learning how to cope in the wind.

I feel the importance to learn the process and principles far outweighs making a completed painting in a workshop. My job is to help the artist know how to make the paintings and what they need to know and how to go about learning it.

Morning in the Canyon 9 x 12

Masters of Plein Air Exhibit

By the time the painting was completed, the clouds moved in and the rest of the day was gray!

Over Memorial Day weekend I took part in The Paso Robles Festival of the Arts in several ways.

I was the juror for the “Wild and Precious” exhibit and I exhibited in the Masters of Plein Air Invitational Show.

Mr. Jean Stern, a recognized authority on California Impressionism and Executive Director of the Irvine Museum juried the show. “First Light, Cottontail Springs” received an Award of Excellence. The show continues until June 30th.

Plein Air Paintings from the Canyon

Masters of Plein Air Exhibit, Paso Robles, CA

This week I am back to painting in the studio, working on large paintings. I find that if I warm up by working on a quick field sketch, or a timed studio warm up painting, it makes the studio painting go that much smoother. I get connected and in the right frame of mind to settle in, and paint decisively. I also move my small brushes far far away from the palette and easel!

The next plein air event I will be participating in will be the 15^th Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational, October 13-20^th.

We created a Facebook page for Elizabeth Tolley Studio, please take a look, "like" the page if you want, and do stay in touch.

Best wishes with your painting.

Libby