chincoteague and James McNeill Whistler

21 x21 pastel

"To say to the painter that Nature should be taken as she is, is to say to the player that he may sit on the piano. " James McNeill Whistler

Don't you love that quote?
I was happy that this painting sold at the show. I think I will take this concept to the studio next.

Four small morning studies and a Thomas Cole quote

7:00am

7:45am

8:20am

9:10am

Here are four of yesterday's small morning studies. It's interesting how the more studies I do the freer I become. The painting develops into its own. It's truer to the feel and less need for description.
I will take these back home and percolate.
I end with a quote from a letter written by Thomas Cole to Asher B Durand.
He explained that her rarely succeeded in painting scenes "immediately on returning from them" because he had to "wait for time to draw a veil over the common details."

chincotegue plein air-underpainting

This is the underpainting of the marshes I see off my deck here in Chinocteague. I am here painting at my favorite place in the world for the Chincoteague Plein Air Festival. I love this event as it is so relaxed, with no competition. I booked myself into my favorite hotel with my favorite view. I intend to just paint from my balcony the whole time and yes that is allowed!!!! How fun!
I decided to post this watercolor underpainting. It's large for my plein air size-21"x21". I like the underpainting and it makes me reticent to dive in and add more. I did it late yesterday so I am letting it rest and allowing me to think before moving forward. "Incrementally" will be the key.
Tomorrow I will post a series of my 6"x6" sky studies.