skies and memory

10x23 pastel and watercolor on Uart

watercolor underpainting

I have learned that sky paintings from memory are much more "real" than the paintings I often do in plein air. Yesterday I walked to the Safeway parking lot in Kensington, bought a Starbucks chai and watched. And what a show it was! During the day I would take time to think about that sky and make a mental picture. Later, when I was finally at the easel this just rolled out of me. The image was firm my mind.
I also know how skies are built, so I began with a simple underpainting of the graduating sky colors. I can easily see this one as a 75"x30" painting. Can you?

This morning I painted outside with dismal result. It was more satisfying to simply finish the memory painting.
I have a plein air event in 2 weeks. Maybe I should jut watch then turn the easel around and paint. Hmmmmm. Maybe.