2014 Dec 30th Last plein air

"Morning Glories and Nopal "waterecolor. 15.5 x 9.5 in. available for sale.
This was done as a demo done in the studio last week with my watercolors students. Turned out to be fun for everyone. 

Plein air next week on Tues. afternoon DEC 30th we will meet in the jardin for our last plein air for 2014!  TIME 2:00 pm center of Jardin. I will be there so just scout around. Can't say exactly where we'll be. Depends on the light and shadows. Bring a hat and dress in layers but it should be warm in the afternoon. View finder and camera for reference photos.

it's been a fabulous year and it should be an interesting 2015 season here too for plein air painting. Some of the high lights for me in the last year is seeing the improvements that my students have made. I always enjoy seeing students advancing to the next level, and many have. I look forward to seeing students returning and a whole new crop of new ones!!
Just a reminder we will be having our 3rd annual student show at the end of January, on the 30th from 5 til 8 pm running until Feb 1st.. The Friday class on Jan.30th will be changed to 10:30 to 1:30 to allow set up time for the show. We'll have more about that later.

Donna, Linda & Tom painting on Recreo .

2014 Painting on Recreo results from Tues. Dec 9th

 'SHADOWS ON RECREO' oil on panel 12"x 16 " This was so much fun to paint. I have walked by this scene so many times and decided yes it was time to paint it.Tom and I were joined by Linda working in watercolors and a new student Barbara came by to have a look. We took up the spot reserved for the  deliveries to the store behind us called "Solutions" and we managed to dodge most of the traffic. The key here  in painting this was how much saturation or intensity of color to use. The warm blue building was slightly lighter then the background cooler blue sky. Interesting juxtapositions. And also getting enough intensity into the orange shadows was tricky too. When in doubt it seems best to go a little stronger then you normally would as when viewed indoors it will not look as saturated.
Plein air next week will be cancelled due to Christmas holidays. Stay tuned  for the last one for this year on the afternoon of 30th of December. Location to be announced soon.

Plein air 2014 December 16th

Plein Air on Recreo  Tuesday Dec 9th at 1:30 pm

Here's a delightful scene on Recreo between Correo and Hospicio -Thought we could have some fun with this. It's right across the street from Solutions. You can zoom in or add more sky. Lots of approaches to play with. Use lots of texture, palette knife , or just do the blue house and door. The challenge will be in trying to capture the light and shadow colors. Let me know if you're coming. After last's weeks complicated Aldama scene, this will give us a bit of a break.We'll be painting in the afternoon so it should be ok temperature wise. There's Casa Cafe on the corner of Hospicio and Recreo, very handy for cafe and snacks and the all important use of facilities if needed. See you there. Donna

 And here's our paintings from last week. The ultimate challenge!

"Calle Aldama" oil 14" x 18" by Tom Dickson

"Aldama Afternoon" oil 12 x 16" by Donna Dickson  It was fun and challenging to do such a complicated scene.

2014 December 1st plein air on Aldama

Calle Aldama, for our first plein air of December! This is near the corner of Terraplen and Aldama. We'll be there at 2:30 pm to get set up. Lots of color and of course the quintessential scene of San Miguel. Should be warmer in the afternoon as well. Let me know if you're coming . There's a new cafe across the street from where we'll be for reinforcements.  Don't forget your camera view finder, paper towel etc. For those that can't make it Monday I will also be painting here on Tues. at the the same time.This week only.  D