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.