Monday Plein air on Montitlan 21 April 9:30

Desde Arriba" oil plein air - Tom Dickson. This was done a few years ago up in the area we will be painting on Monday. Tom really captured the moody atmosphere of cloud and sun.

Okay our last plein air for a bit. 9:30 on Montitlan just off Cuesta de San Jose. Part of Colonia Balcones. Turn onto Montitlan at the shrine across from the condos called Cruz de San Jose.
We'll be shutting down the gallery (only open by appointment) for the month of May and first half of June. We've had a great winter /spring of teaching and met many new students. Hope every one continues to paint and learn.
Speaking of learning, I 'll be taking a workshop with the very well know and respected Daily Painter Carol Marine while I'm in Canada for a couple of weeks. Eagerly looking forward to that.What fun!! Look for more still lifes next winter as well as working on color and light.
See you all Monday don't forget cameras, view finders, hat and water. No cafes near by so bring a snack. Plein air is hard work! Donna

"Cerca del Mercado" watercolor  This a watercolor I did this week in the studio with my shrinking classes. It was fun to work with this image. Everyone cropped it or did what they wanted with the original photo which I took in front of the San Juan de Dios Church. The ladies were walking back from the near by market place. D

Some new oils for spring in San Miguel April 14th 2013

"Sollano en la Manana " 9 x 12" oil plein air DonnaDickson

This was done on a Monday morning a couple of weeks back. If you follow Tom's blog (there's a link on my home page "Alot about Light" ) You'll note the car wash guy standing behind me rated mine a 10! Tom got a 9.....very funny. I wonder if it had anything to my being 'mujer" with blond hair and blue eyes! Do ya think?? I was sorry he didn't have more cars to wash that morning, as I really didn't need him looking over my shoulder - did my best to block him out.

Jacaranda in Spring Col. Guadalupe. 9 x 12"  oil  plein air Donna Dickson.

Did this one a few weeks back just as the Jacaranda were beginning to fill out. This was done near the art store called El Pato ( the duck??) where most of the artists in town buy their art supplies. Lots of color here.

"Resting awhile" 20 x 24 " oil /canvas Donna Dickson

Finally finished with my lady on the corner. As I got too busy with teaching I had to put her a side for a bit. I was pretty much happy with the painting in the end. I added a few things like the bolsa bag of flowers that she "could" have been carrying and a few other details like changing shadows to bring it all together.


 And for Plein air this Monday April 15 th 3pm. We're going to make it an afternoon scene as that's when the light is best at this location. We'll meet at the corner of Cardo and Prolongacion de Aldama. Some interesting scenes in the area so hope you don't mind the afternoon time slot. I tried to post last evening but the gremlins were playing too many tricks with my computer.
Bring water and sunhat but we'll be in the shade for sure. Happy painting folks! 

Colors and how do you say them ?? April 7 2013

Vermillion Flycatcher ?

I love Pthalocyanine Blue and Green but how do you say it aside from dropping the "P"?? Is that thalo like halo or thalo like shallow??
Quinacridone ?? The "quins"  red or purple, gold, vibrant and transparent. Say it like "Cads" in short form and don't bother with the rest?
Lets not forget Aureolin Yellow, my favorite yellow. Como se dice en ingles?? Like Oreos ??
" Ore.o.len ?  Very few people can get that one ! Maybe Dafodil "daffy" yellow?
Alizarin red how about crimson? Lets keep it simple. Or how about Lizard Red 'cept lizards aren't red!
No problem as I've always liked Purple Finches and they are not purple but a colorful name all the same. Medium red and mousey brown Finch is not too exciting I'll be the first to admit.
Vermillion flycatchers are great but they are more like Cad. red medium. Brilliant against dull cactus greens. Vermillion is definitely catchier, for a flycatcher!  Scarlet Runners , yes the flowers are a gorgeous scarlet!
So in the end my friends I guess it's a bit like you say "toe.mate. oh" and I say " toe. matt. oh!
Or in Mexico it's "Jitomate" (hee toe mat eh)!
Have fun painting with all your wonderful colors , squeeze them out and don't try to pronounce them... adios Donna

  Plein air Monday April 8th - 9:15 ish ....on Aldama near the corner with Cuadrante. We'll take the shady side of street as it's getting hot these days.  It's better from the middle of the road if we could just block off the street! Remember it's a narrow street so don't bring the kitchen sink. Donna

Scarlet runner flowers

Semana Santa and plein air monday April 1st 2013

Jacaranda en Primavera 10 x 8" oil A rare posting for me my "finished" plein air from last week. Finding more time now as the winter crowd is heading back north again. The trees have been so much fun to paint and seem to be lasting longer,

The Mojigangas , giant paper mache puppets are really popular, This is Semana Santa week end on Saturday. Lots of visitors.

On Sollano just up from Parque Juarez . Lots of possibilities along here and I don't think I've seen this street looking better.

You just might be wondering where we're meeting for plein air this week???     I'll let you know tomorrow am. I promise !! Sollano and Juarez park corner The photo below will show you where.   Take care and be patient. Hasta manana  Donna

Near Juarez park and Sollano a good place to meet for our plein air Mon at 9:15 to 9:30 am Remember hats, camera, water paints and all Hasta manana Donna

Jacaranda on Recreo plein air Mar 25th 2013

A beautiful Jacaranda in bloom on Recreo

 

Hard to beat this! This year the Jacaranda are really blooming.
Here's our challenge for Monday Mar 25th at 9:30 am. This is in the large parking lot (Estacionamente) on Recreo between Correo and Cuadrante. Hope you can make it. This will be fun.
   In other news I'm announcing that the gallery will be closed for about 6 weeks from May 1st to mid June. There will be no classes during this time but the gallery will be open by appointment. I'll announce new classes in June.

Jacarandas in Col. Guadalupe Mar, 18th /13

Saw some great Jacarandas blooming in colonial Guadalupe this morning, very near to El Pato the art supply store on Calle Maragrita Ledesma.
Being as there are several near there, let's meet in front of El Patos at 9:30 am or a bit before then walk from there. There is one on Julian Carrillo just around the corner from Via Organica. There is also one on Colegio Militar at Maria Felix the other direction from El Patos, Near a meat market  so lets check it out from there.  Don't be late as we'll need to walk around. If you do arrive late just check out the adjacent streets I mentioned above and you'll find us. Hope the sun shines on us! This weather has not been great lately.  I'll attach some photos in the morning. Donna

This Monday plein air Mar 11th 2013 9:30

Iglesia San Antonio 12" x 16" oil by Tom Dickson
  This is a painting Tom did 2 weeks ago with another plein air group.

This week we'll meet at the San Antonio Church as our visit there got cancelled due to the cold weather last Friday.  One stalwart from our workshop last week, Ian stayed and did a nice sketch but nearly froze. The rest of us retreated to the studio. Brrr. I doubt we'll have a problem this week as it has warmed up nicely.
Plenty to paint there and lots of room for our group. See you there.
Remember, hat, camera, stool, paints, paper or panel, brushes, pencil and paper for your thumbnail sketch, easel. View finder, solvent for oils , water for w.c.'s, papertowel, plastic bag for trash.  etc. Good idea to have your own check list at the ready. Eezy peezy to forget something. See you at 9:30! No coffee close by so bring it with you if you need a buzz!
Have a great week end. Lots of painting I hope!
Next week we have to find some bloomin' Jacarandas......keep a sharp look out folks They are starting to bloom again. Donna Dickson.