"Widows Walk" plein air landscape by Robin Weiss

"Widows Walk"   12x9 oil on panel      Sold

My last post talked a little about one of my favorite painting spots, Port Townsend. I painted this on the same day as the painting in my last post. There were problems with the plein air painting and I fixed it up in the studio. That is often the case....and hey! that's okay!  ...whatever makes a great painting....IF, however, you are in a competition, make sure you know the rules on what constitutes a plein air painting in that particular competition....They vary!

The only tip I can give you today is.....try and find a spot in the shade to paint!!    =]

"Port Townsend Marina" plein air , marinescape by Robin Weiss

"Port Townsend Marina"  9x12 oil on panel    $600

When I head out to paint without a plan of where to go I often find myself at the Port Townsend boatyard. Not only do they have the best working shipyard, there are also marinas stretched along the waterfront . These days mixed among the warehouses and boat-building workshops are a bunch of eclectic coffee houses and restaurants. A perfect place to find a scene to paint! 

Rendering a bunch of boats in a marina is tricky!  The more I do it, the more I understand the dichotomy of realistically depicting detail in complex scenes.....It is both the hardest and the easiest thing to do....I know, that's not much help ...but really, you have to simplify the detail going back in the distance to broken bits of color. Once you get the hang of it....you will find it's not as hard as you think to suggest  all of that detail with bits of broken color......Spend some extra time on just a few objects closer in to draw the viewer in....and remember to ,

Have fun out there!

"Pink Rhodies" Seattle Arboretum, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Pink Rhodies" Seattle Arboretum  6x8 oil on panel   $250

I always keep a few 6x8 panels handy and tucked away in my backpack.  As often happens when I  am at the end of my painting day, hot, tired and cross-eyed from staring into the sun and pretty much burned out...headed back to the van.....I will see some spectacular scene where a shaft of light illuminates an object, (in this case a beautiful clump of blooming rhodies at the Seattle Arboretum in spring)  ...or a stunning sunset.......and be re-invigorated by the beauty....but only have enough time and juice to cough up a 6x8.  Some of these little gems are my best work.....It would be a shame not to be ready for them...

My son Maury has been coming along on many outings to paint with me....He is getting really good and I love spending time with him doing what we both enjoy.  He works for a game design company in Kirkland WA and mostly does digital artwork but also loves to get out and paint from life.  You can check out his website here....don't forget to leave an encouraging comment! 

The Mind of Maury

Maury at the Arboretum

"Arboretum Sanctuary" Seattle Arboretum, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Arboretum Sanctuary"  Seattle Arboretum 20x10  oil on panel
SOLD

I brought two of these 10x20 panels with me to paint at the Seattle Arboretum. The tall trees and shadowed paths were perfect for a tall skinny format.  I added the strollers using my phone which I kept handy while painting the main composition in case anyone walked down this path. I took a lot of photos but these two romantics seemed perfect for the scene.  See my previous post for how I composed the other 10x20.

I plan on saving these two paintings done at the Seattle Arboretum to inform larger studio paintings which I will enter in PAWA's end of the year exhibition at the American Art Co. in Tacoma, Wa .

Update: This painting is now available at the Michael Birawer Gallery in Seattle WA . If you are interested in purchasing call Summer at  206-624-7773  

"The Rhodie Walk" Seattle Arboretum, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"The Rhodie Walk"   Seattle Arboretum,  10x20 oil on panel    SOLD
Available at the Michael Birawer Gallery, Seattle WA  206-624-7773

Earlier this year when the rhododendrons were in full, spectacular bloom The Plein Air Washington Artists met at the Seattle Arboretum.  Maury picked me up at the ferry and we went over to join the gang.  We were glad we went! Wow! What a show!  I set up along the Rhodie path and pulled out this long skinny panel which worked great for composing the scene before me. 

I have been making these long format panels for awhile now. They are the best option for a lot of compositional choices.  I buy a panel at home depot that is used for cheap bathrooms. It is 1/8 inch thick, has melamine on one side and unfinished masonite on the other, 4x8 ft sheet.  I cut it up into the sizes I want and then gesso the unfinished side. I am currently using a Utrecht Gesso which only needs two coats to cover. You may even need to thin it a bit. 

TIP:   Sometimes you can find these masonite sheets in the 70% off pile at Home Depot or find a sheet that has a defect or broken corner and ask them for a discount. Home Depot is really good about giving discounts to clear defective inventory.  If you get lucky that way you can make these panels for next to nothing and have no concerns about "wasting"resources on what may not be the best painting.....seriously, you need to get over that if you worry about it!..  You need to put enough paint on your palette to actually paint with...and stock pile enough panels to get your brush miles in!! ...and never forget to:

Have fun out there!

"Bayview Barber Shop" Paintout Poulsbo, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Bayview Barber Shop"  12x9 oil on panel    Sold

This is the second painting I completed during Paintout Poulsbo.  The interesting patterns and lines created by the power pole caught my attention.  The day was blustery with the sun coming in and out of the clouds and changing the light pretty dramatically on short notice. I find that it can be helpful to find a back lit subject in those conditions.
 This painting was smeared pretty badly by someone who leaned up against it during the exhibition...one of the drawbacks to participating in a wet painting show...

Just to let you know about several up-coming events and some good news:

First up is a one day plein air painting workshop through the Cole Gallery in Edmonds WA. coming up Saturday, July 28th , 10:30am- 4:30pm.  For more info on this workshop click HERE

My painting " Camillias with Sugar Bowl" has been accepted into the 19th Annual AIS National Juried Exhibition. Somehow I hope to make it to this show which will be held at the Peninsula School of Art in Door County Wisconsin , September 27th.



I will be participating in Paint the Peninsula again this year which takes place August 19-26th in Port Angeles, WA. Afterwards I will be conducting a 3 day workshop in Sekiu , WA



I have been accepted into the First Annual Central City Plein Air Festival, which takes place in Central City , Colorado, September 28-30, 2018 .......So I guess I wont be attending the AIS show!!

There is probably some other stuff too! It can be hard organizing multiple events and shows!  It helps to write it down here on my blog as a reminder...A lot of time goes into all of the other related business in being an artist!  So don't forget to

Have fun out there!

Painting the Guardian Stone" Paint Out Poulsbo, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Painting the Guardian Stone"  12x9 oil on panel    NFS

I recently joined the Peninsula Music and Arts Society of Poulsbo. They mostly raise funds for scholarships to help aspiring young artists in our area. Part of the fundraising the last few years has been a plein air painting event in Poulsbo. It started off small but is growing each year.  This year I entered my grandson Chase who, at eight years old, is also an aspiring young artist. He decided to paint the Guardian Stone, a cool sculpture in Poulsbo's waterfront park that has three swords planted in a big rock.

Me and Chase painting in Poulsbo

Chase's parents are both educators in the public schools and their philosophy of  going to new places and trying new things is paying off. Chase had no hesitation entering this competition and following through. He completed three paintings in two days.

As you can see in this picture Chase is taking this competition very seriously! While I am in the background looking at something on my phone he is concentrating on producing a masterpiece of artwork.

Chase with his painting "The Guardian Stone"

Others thought it was good too! Many people stopped to encourage him. 

 

 When we finally turned our paintings in at the end of the day, the Judge of Awards, Max Hazlette, awarded Chase's painting First Place in his age category!...and then handed him a check for $150!

The look on his face was priceless as he received the award.  Another plein air artist is born!  

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Peninsula Music and Arts Society of Poulsbo click

HERE

"Rows of Red" Skagit county, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Rows of Red"  11x14 oil on linen panel        $800

I have painted the tulips in Skagit county a lot  !  These days I look for other views but those rows of color draw you in and it is almost impossible not to paint them.  This is the back side of Roozengaarde Farm .  The design element of rows of anything going into the distance is a good tool to bring the viewer into a scene.  The only problem, especially with tulip fields, is the over use of that element in many paintings.  I think this is a good painting just a bit cliche.

That being said, if you have been to the fields of color, this would be a good memory of your visit!

Have fun out there!  =]