Shady River Spot

. We all knew that the day would be hot. Our group traveled to Winters and Putah Creek where there was shade and a river running by. It was hot and as soon as you sweat the flies and bugs zero in. I did a couple of sketches and a value study and then settled in and painted this scene. The hills are very high and my focus was on the rocks. I left the background a mix of greens without boning out anything definitive. I think that it worked.

Sunshine and Painting Again

. It was a Wednesday without rain and our group met at the Berryessa Dam in Winters, CA. The water level is high with the 'Glory Hole' sucking down water. There was wind so we just went around the mountain and set up in the sunshine, shielded from the wind. We had a large group as everyone was suffering cabin fever. The greens are lush and the site was fun to paint. I did a quick value study and then had what I wanted for a composition. I found myself low in green paint as I had not checked my palate, so had to mix colors for my greens. Always a challenge but always surprised at the results.

Atop Berryessa

Our Wednesday plain air group went to Lake Berryessa Dam on a sunny warm morning. The rock formations are alluring so I settled by the roadside to paint them. It was tricky and far more difficult than I imagined. The morning sun was coming up so shadows changed rather quickly. This is always a challenge with Plain Air painting but with all the different rock edges casting shadows, it is daunting. I sketched out what I wanted to paint and put in some shadows. By the start of painting, the cast shadows changed and continued changing. Never the less, it was a good outing.

A Rural Road to Winters

Last week we found a quiet road to stop and paint. No one was very enthusiastic because we originally setup and found the site to noisy with lots of truck traffic. We packed up and went around to the distant street and began again. It met our needs and everyone was much happier. Little traffic but a lot of bike riders.

Two Icons

The Taco Truck and the Water Tower stand out in Winters, CA. I picked a spot across the street and painted this scene yesterday. It amazed me how many people come to the truck. There is pretty much a continuous stream of people and this was after lunch. Cars pull in and empty out the occupants. They stand and wait for the orders. This is a busy spot for traffic going into this small town. Fun place to paint.

ALLEY II (WINTERS)

This is Paint the Town week in Winters, CA.  I started by trying to dodge the windy conditions and found an alley to paint in.  This allowed some wind protection.  When I returned the following day, the wind was still blowing so I found another alley.  There are plenty in this town.  I think that the most difficult condition for painting is wind.

Alleys have so much stuff.  A lot of it has to be eliminated in the painting. There are too many trash bins, fences and traffic markers.  I was impressed with all of the power lines that criss-cross the alley. 

The weather has improved and I have been back painting the hills and valleys of this pretty town. 

ALLEY I (Winters, CA)

This is the 6th year that the Winters Paint the Town Plein Air Festival has been held.  It started this past  Friday but I didn't get to paint until today.  The light kept changing but it was not windy nor hot.  Just right.  Winters has so many wonderful painting venues.  I chose one of the alleys for this painting.  It was Sunday and rather quiet but a few onlookers cheered me on.  I have painted some of the alleys in the past but there are many to do. 

Great to be out painting.  Will be back for more as it will continue all week.

Lake Solano Campground

Wonderful weather and view of Lake Solano in Winters, CA.  An opportunity to mix a few varied greens and put a canoe in the Lake.  The birds, especially, the peacocks gathered around as we painted.  I think the peacocks are be used to campers and being fed.  The hills are dried out now with the hot summer days.

I tried to paint the bridge in a recognizable likeness, but did not want it dominant.  The canoe is the focal point. I used the bridge cast shadow and supports to direct the attention to it.

A Morning of Plein Air Painting

Headed off to Winters, CA for some morning painting. Weather was perfect after a big black cloud passed. This first painting is a house on the river which lists to the left and has a serious bump in the roof. Someone lives in it as proven by the parked cars. The vegetation is overgrown and the fence is being pulled by the structure. I expect one day to see it flat on the ground. Location, location, location.



This painting was done in 40 minutes. I was amused by the back doors into this corrugated building off a parking lot. Three different entries and different forms of cooling, from an open door to swamp cooler and A/C. It probably gets pretty warm inside. It is a blue painting with a few warm notes. Winters has everything for the painter's imagination. The downtown is original and there are plenty of farms. It is charming and would be my choice for a studio.

Putah Creek Below the Dam

Still finding paintings from last week. I did a lot of them and then selected only 3 for exhibit. This scene was a group activity below Berryessa Dam. It was sunny and cool. There are steep hills around the creek forming a canyon which includes a park and motel. The creek has logs along the edge along with plenty of growies. The birds come and go, so I put the egret in for a focal point. I would put the horizon line higher in the painting if I did it again so I could get more reflections. I was thrown off by being so close and feeling the height of the canyon walls. Everything is so green after all of the rain.

Alley Chat

A popular dining spot in downtown Winters, CA gathers the locals. I was across the street painting this and noted that people meet outside or are waiting for the 4th in the party. It is a very large restaurant, but with the weather so nice, why not outside?
I liked the shafts of light between the front awnings and between the buildings on the alleyway. I did paint buildings in original color tan because it was a local show and a big deviation from original would be rejected by the locals (Not purchased). You can only have so much license. The owner stood by me during much of the painting and wanted to know why I left certain things out.

Air Conditioned

Drove by this fantastic barn that basically had a roof and little for sides. The sheep were suspicious as I came around and set up to sketch and paint. It was a glorious day with sun and shadow. I put it in the Winter's Show and it sold.
You know when you get it just right.

Walk on Main St. Winters

This colorful Victorian style house is for sale on Main St. in Winters and attracts a lot of visitors. While in Winters this past week for the Paint the Town, I sketched and painted this picture. It was my third painting of the day and was done rather quickly but I like the feel. A giant sycamore tree is just blooming and the hedges and lawn are very manicured. I struggle with greens and variations for trees and lawns and believe that I am not alone. I combine a couple of yellows, my favorite being raw sienna, with different blues to create as many shades of green possible. The most distant vegetation I paint light blue.

Semi-Retired

You can see the clouds overhead, so there was a rush to finish this plein air painting in Winters. It turned cold and windy by the end. This old corrugated metal barn on an almond ranch had plenty of old equipment and ladders scattered. The tractor caught my eye and is the 'bride' of the show. It did rain on the way home but the painting was finished and packed away. Rain isn't good for watercolor work. There is merit to be under the gun to finish a piece, whether it is threatening weather or changing shadows. The work ends up fresher and loose.

Fixer Upper on the Creek

Just finished a week of plein air painting in Winters, CA. It is an annual event at Briggs Gallery. Winters has lots of farms, a quaint downtown area that is very popular with bicycles, and plenty to paint. The weather did not cooperate except for the first two days. It was stormy and overcast most of the days. Still, lots of artists could be found out on the hills and downtown.
My 'fixer-upper' was my second painting of the day and done in a little over an hour with plenty of chatter with the locals. Great light and shadow. When you are ready and fast and loose, the crispness of the work shows. The house is just about to fall down.

Cantelow Road

This is a painting of Cantelow Road which is the best backroad I can ever imagine. I found this place last year while painting in Winters CA. I have now painted it several times. Each time it is awesome. You can see the Sacramento Valley and almost to the Sierra Mountains from atop the road. The other side of the hill offers a view of Pleasant Valley which I want to paint the next time I am there. The painting sold before the reception for the Winters Plein Air Festival. It was fun painting it and meeting the new owner.

Winters Plein Air Painting is Over

This was the 2nd annual paint in which lasted 6 days. Some days were very windy and even cold. I got over to Winters for 3 half days and one full one. It is a wonderful spot for painters with barns, valleys and mountains. I painted at the end of town in my attempt to shield myself from a gusting wind. It was done on 300lb Arches watercolor paper which was previously adhered to quarter inch foam core. This allowed me to use gel and then varnish. I then put it into a float frame that we came up with. Looks like an oil and there is no glass. I was worried that it would turn out 'crafty appearing', but I like it. Anyway, I have this and two others in the show with a reception tonight.