One of the biggest challenges for plein air painters (painting outdoors) is the vastness of what we are looking at. Trying to get the huge outdoors and fit it on our teeny, tiny, little canvas can stop an artist in our tracks so to speak.
All the advice, tips, and rules I hear from experienced painters seem to leave me when I am out there enjoying the wonders of nature. “Paint what you love.” “Look for the big shapes.” “See the darks and lights.”
Ever since I saw my first Monet painting I wanted to paint water lilies. We were at a beautiful garden with a pond with the most perfect water lilies you can imagine. I was so excited.
By the end of my painting session I was so disappointed. I had wanted to paint water lilies. Here is a sketch of what I did. I went home and scraped it off.
Luckily I took lots of photos and when I enlarged the photo and painted in my studio, I actually painted water lilies.
Now I am happy.
“Water Lilies”, 6×8″ oil on panel available at:
gorgeous!
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Thank you
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Absolutely beautiful! I took some photos in Monet’s Gardens that I should try – too early in the spring for many flowers but still … yours are inspiring.
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Thank you. I look forward to seeing your painting.
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Love your lilies!!
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Thank you
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The narrative and first sketching are part of the honesty of painting, but the final painting: ahhh. A real beauty, Andrea. Joel and Helene
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Thanks ☺️
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Aww, thank you so much.
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Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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Thank you!
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Andrea, you’re welcome!
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