Gettysburg Festival Plein air

“The battlefield” is the second plein air painting I started the week of Gettysburg Festival Art Fest as a trial to find a few locations on the battlefield and to get my bearings with the weather. Needless to say the majority of the day was completely overcast. 

There were only a few options; pack up and call it a day, complete a few preliminary sketches or give it a go.  I’m very glad I stuck with it, because I finally learned to accept the weather and work around the limitations.  I was no longer looking for the perfect view, shadows or the picturesque scene.  By the time I completed the painting I was enjoying the overcast skies and subtle fog and was even a little bummed when the sun started to come out.

I was also fortunate to meet Carl Whitehill an author for Destination Gettysburg, who took a few photos and did an amazing write up online. 

Tuesday was a great day not only for meeting Carl Whitehill and being a part of a great story, but it was also the “ah-ha” moment I was so reluctant to embrace.  My wife always told me to go out and paint regardless of the weather (unless it was going to rain).  I guess I should listen to my wife more often.

"The Battlefield"
10 x 14"
Watercolor

Plein Air at Fort Hunter

Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is a great place to paint for various reasons.  I have painted there too many times to remember but I stumbled upon this particular location by dumb luck.  I can’t imagine how many times I have walked by this area without ever noticing it.  Needless to say I’m glad I did!  Although my palette consisted of green, green and more green. 

 



"Hunter's Maze"
8.5 x 7"
Watercolor

Upcoming Event:

Gettysburg Festival Art Fest

I will be participating in Gettysburg Festival upcoming plein air event from June 11^th to June 15^th.  There will also be a plein air exhibit at the historic Gettysburg College Norris Wachob Alumni House located on Gettysburg College Campus.  

Click on link below for additional information. 

http://gettysburgfestival.org/our-events/visual-arts/

Camp Hill Plein Air 2014

Sorry I haven’t posted in a very long time.  I initially took a break to focus on family and personal matters in my life and needless to say, procrastination set in.  I will do my best to post on a more consistent basis.

Below are my recent paintings from Camp Hill Plein Air event last week.   This was the first time I participated in the event and it was a blast.  The weather was frustrating throughout the week but overall it was a great experience and I hope I can be a part of it again next year.

"Window view" was purchased by the home owner and I was very fortunate to get my photo posted on PennLive.com.

"Mount Calvary Episcopal Church"
11 x 14"
Watercolor

"Backyard View"
9 x 12"
Watercolor

"Stall house at Allen Berry"
11 x 14"
Watercolor

"Mechanicsburg Train Museum"
11 x 14"
Watercolor

"Window View"
10 x 11.5"
Watercolor

Plein air on the Susquehanna River



"Rockville Brigde on the Susquehanna"
12" x 16" Watercolor on Arches CP.

 

 A storm was coming in last Saturday and I only had about a two hour window to paint.  I was drawn to the view of the Rockville Bridge and the amazing clouds.  I’m slowly finding my favorite spots and I’m looking forward to the variation the seasons will bring.

Garvine Mill

Sunday, I had the perfect opportunity to visit another amazing mill in Fall Grove Pa.  Garvine Mill initially caught my attention online and I’m very happy I took the hour and a half drive to get there.  Unfortunately it was an overcast day, and at least 30 minutes was used photographing the area and mill.  I will definitely be making at least a sketch or a painting in the fall or winter.



"Garvine Mill"
12" x 16" Watercolor on Arches CP.

 

Laughlin Mill sketch

This sketch was done as a value study of flowing water and overall value range.  When I painted the Laughlin Mill a few weeks ago, I had a vague idea of how to approach painting flowing water however I am happy with the results of the watercolor painting.  I had to do an interpretation in pencil for more of a comparison.

The more I worked on the sketch the more I fell in love with it.   It is far from perfect but for five hours of work I am very happy.  When I do attempt a final landscape piece in graphite it will take me at least 40-50 hours.   It will be a daunting task but will be quite enjoyable.

'Laughlin Mill sketch'
8.5" x 11" Graphite on paper

Reference photo

 

Plein Air

Italian Lake.

I have painted Italian Lake a few times over the years and can’t seem to get enough.  It is so beautiful that I wouldn’t mind living across the street and fortunately there are a few houses right along Italian lake.  I could only imagine waking up to that view every day…wow.  This painting is a little bit smaller than usual 7x11 but it was a little bit easier to manage and that was the goal on this one.

'Italian Lake'

7" x 11". Watercolor on Arches CP.

Boiling Springs Mill

This was the second painting last weekend.  I think I spent more time looking for yellow breeches creek and walking around taking pictures than actually painting the mill.  This is the second time I have been to this location but I was trying to find a specific bridge on yellow breeches creek.  I never did find a great view of the bridge but I had a great view right in front of me. 

'Boiling Springs Mill'

7" x 11" Watercolor on Arches CP