The grand finale and lessons learned ...... Day 200!!

When I started this journey back in the fall, it was just a goal and a curiosity. I felt like it would improve my skills, but I had no idea the impact it would have. My visual observation has increased ten-fold and I honestly thought I had a pretty good visual language before. I learned there is NO substitute for painting everyday and when I am asked the question "Are you glad it's over?", I am quick to point out that it will never be over. When you quit exercising you lose all the strength and stamina that you gained while you were spending time staying fit. Same with painting every day. I want to stay visually "in tune" at all times and the only way to do that is to continue to paint at regular intervals.

It think spending the last week with so many amazing artists at Plein Air South taught me to slow down and take more time in my studies. Value is SOOOOOO important in a painting and doing a quick value sketch before starting really helps establish a map for your composition and shape formation.

As those you who have followed this journey know, I limited myself to no more than an hour on each of these studies. I wanted to keep myself focused on the masses and simple shapes.  I wanted to stay true to the first notes of color and not overwork the painting and I didn't want these studies to become "pretty little paintings". When I first started this project, it usually took the whole hour and although I would do a quick value underpainting, I would have never taken the time for a value sketch. By the end of the project, I not only had time for sketching and an underpainting, but even increased the size of my pieces. I wasn't "speed painting", but the confidence painting everyday gave me, increased my ability to put down what I see faster.

 Even though I usually do a value underpainting, I never realized just how important it is. It's like the bones of the painting and once it is down and correct, the rest of the painting just falls into place. I now take my underpainting much more seriously - another lesson learned.

So there you have it. It was hot, it was cold (so very cold!), it was windy and it was WORTH IT! My biggest regret was not doing it sooner - 30 years sooner.  I have watch the seasons change like I never have and it was beautiful.  I have noticed the how the ordinary can be extraordinary. I have realized just how incredibly beautiful the Mississippi Delta is and how it is like no other place in the world. If you are an artist, I challenge you to try this. Even if it's just a hundred or even fifty. You won't regret it.  See you in the field.... or on the highway.... by the water.....

Oh and one more thing, there will be a book available this June. If you would like to order a copy, shoot me an email at caroldroark@gmail.com.

Plein Air South - Need I Say More ...... Days 194-199

 Day 194 started out early. Several of my artist friends and I are heading to the Plein Air South convention in Port St. Joe, Florida at mid-day and so to avoid painting in the car, I chose to get up and get out. Did a quick study of the willow tree and utility shed back lit by the morning sun. The willow tree, had a much cooler feel than the vines on the shed. I stuck with a more literal interpretation and I'm not sure that is always the best idea.

 Arrival in Port St. Joe around mid- afternoon gave time for a quick beach study on Day 195. Handling the palm trees is very interesting me. I love being able to study objects that I don't get to see everyday.

Day 196 kicked off the convention. Demos and lectures started at 7:00 in the morning and continue all day. So many great artists and so much information; my mind is blown! We had about one hour of painting time between the end of lectures and the evening opening reception, so all that was allowed was a quick study at the condo. Wound up with only about 30 minutes of actual painting time and this one could have used about 30 minutes more.

Day 197 brought a beautiful sunset despite some off and on rain through out the day. Caught a few cloud formations before the sun went down.

On Day 198, we had a little more time to explore and paint and we chose to go to the St. Joe Peninsula State Park. Beautiful dunes and marsh areas were everywhere. I have learned so much already this week and I am trying to apply it.  Did a value sketch before I painted to check my values and then did a value underpainting. What a difference it made!





Day 199 (!) brought another opportunity to apply some of the incredible knowledge I have gained this week. I honestly would love to go home and lock myself in my studio for the next six to eight weeks and just paint. Was really drawn the to shape and lead in of this little marshy creek. Once again, did the value sketch and value underpainting and once again it made a difference . A little haze on my camera didn't take the best picture, but I was pleased with this one

Another week goes by.... Days 186 - 193

 Days 186 and 187 where a little cool, cloudy and grey.  Not my favorite light, but over the duration of this project, I have learned to appreciate and I realize that clouds are so great on moody days.



The sun was back out on Day 188. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon. I rode over to a friend's farm with the intent of painting a field of yellow bitterweed. Instead, I wound up painting their small fishing boat. Loved the contrast of the boat edges, the water and the reeds growing on the bank.

On Day 189, I worked on studying the light on Al's old work trailer. There was so much to work with  - from the perspective,  to the rust, to the shadows, to the chrome hubcap on the spare tire. Incorporating more difficult objects in my studies to hopefully push myself a little farther.



Day 190 was a late afternoon painting, incorporating lovely late afternoon light. The light was really golden on the ground, but I convinced myself that it really wasn't. The result was a painting that was overall too cool. Still working on trying to trust my visual instincts.

 We have a heard of charolais cows just up the road. I did some studies of them earlier this winter, but on the morning of Day 191, they were bathed in glowing, early morning light. I grabbed my easel praying they would still be there when I got back. Thankfully they were and this heifer laid still long enough for me to study her - even as the road graders drove by.

The morning of Day 192 was my only opportunity for painting that day. I was not in the mood, I was overwhelmed with obligations and I couldn't find anything interesting to paint. Settled on our neighbor's barn that has also frequented my paintings. The morning backlight drew me to it and despite my foul mood, I think this is the first time I actually got the backlighting right.

Day 193 was another great afternoon of lovely, late day light. Stayed in the front yard and did a simple study of the river birth and cast shadows. Bringing my knife back a little more these past few days and I like it.

From Crazy Crowds to Quiet Clover... Days 179 - 185

This week started off in full swing with the Double Decker Arts Festival in Oxford, Mississippi. This is such a great festival with large crowds (this year was a record) and very high quality art. On Day 179, the Oxford Art Guild and the North Mississippi Plein Air Painters were invited to start the festival off with demonstrations around the Oxford square. The iconic Square Books building is a staple for so many artists and I was drawn to it as usual. Decided to concentrate on the building entrance verses the building as a whole. I love having small studies like this to base larger paintings on later. After Square Books I could help but notice Tres Belle Boutique's balcony display and so I painted another quick study before heading out to teach class.

 Day 180 was Double Decker Day! The crowd was huge. I started the morning early with morning sun on the courthouse. I love painting and visiting. I feel it brings the outside world into what we artists love so much. I painted a few more quick scenes as the day wore on  and met and visit a lot of people old and new. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello and who became new collectors!

Day 181 was back to the quiet, peaceful, Delta. Did a late day study of the Al's old tractor which is always a great subject. Loved how the light played on the reds of the tractor, even how it played on the tires! Finding beauty in the ordinary.








Day 182 found me doing another (I can never do to many) study of mud puddles. The ditch in front of the house is rutted up by 4 wheeler tracks and gave this study and almost abstract appearance .

 Day 183 was a LONG day and yes I was tired when I finally found a time to paint. I was not inspired, I was not in the mood, but I made myself get out and do it. Took a little different approach and just let my knife to all the work. The late evening sun and the different shapes and shades of the greens actually wound up being fun.





Days 184 and 185 finally brought a chance to study red clover. I was so afraid we wouldn't have a good year for clover because it is very late blooming, but it showed up after all. Nothing like hills and hills of red blooms - an artist's dream. (Maybe as spectacular as the poppies in France!)