I have just returned from two weeks of plein air painting with Arts in Provence in Les Bassacs in the south of France. Each morning we ventured forth into the surrounding countryside and small villages, painting until 12:30 and then after lunch, sometimes took a sieste, but more often than not continued painting around the the house or working in the studio. While I am mostly a studio painter I have grown to love painting outside in front of the landscape subject. Some of the time I tried to paint what I saw 'accurately' and sometimes I found myself interpreting what I saw more freely and creatively. I found the experience artistically rejuvenating and feel that I have a better sense of the direction I want to take my work.
So......on day 1 we painted just below the village of Roussillon, famous for the nearby ochre quarries which have given the village's buildings their reddish pink hue. It was a very warm day but I found some shade and started with a value drawing and then did two acrylic paintings, each about 16" x 12" on Canson Canva Paper.
I kept my palette as close as possible to what I saw, but painted loosely and in broad strokes.
I was happy with the results and felt primed and ready for the days to come.
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| Below Roussillon #1 |
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| Below Roussillon #2 |
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