Well, dear reader, I tried it again. (See my previous blog on Plein Air painting) Even though the weather forecast was less than perfect, at least it wasn’t raining so I decided to be brave and take my plein air painting show on the road! As part of the Magog Art’M group that I joined a few months ago, I can set up my easel on the lovely promenade that runs along lake Memphremagog in Magog. I can also display a few small paintings for sale if I want. The only downside is that, unlike for painting at the Bleu Lavande site for which I can just show up, I have to book one of the limited lake spots a week ahead, not knowing of course what the weather will be! I had booked Sunday, July 4th, and Wednesday, July 7th. While it is not yet the highest rush of the tourist season, which in Quebec is the last 2 weeks of July, Magog is still pretty busy as it is a popular tourist destination, even for people living in surrounding towns, so I expected some success. Of course Sunday was a non-starter, as in addition to being much colder than normal, it was also quite windy and the clouds were menacing. Wednesday was a little better, with no wind to speak of, and forecast for the high teens, so I packed up (it took about an hour deciding what to bring and what to leave-- lack of habit of course) and went. On the 15 minute drive there, it started to sprinkle…. Thank goodness I also had grocery shopping to do, I thought, so my trip to town wouldn’t be a total waste of time (for those who don’t know, I live out in the country and have to drive anywhere for anything-- the only thing that is in comfortable walking distance is the group mailbox). But the sky was clearing as I got closer to Magog so I decided to have a look at least. Being a very popular spot, parking is not cheap (by country standards) at this location. I took a chance on just parking and walking over to see what the conditions were by the lake, hoping the parking meter goddesses wouldn’t pick just that time to survey the lot for squatters. There were a few people out walking and biking, and although the sky was overcast, the temperature was comfortable, so I decided to go for it and made my offering to the parking gods, which consisted not of a goat, but of all the change I had in my purse. I trudged my stuff over to the spot I chose carefully -- interesting view of the lake, mountains and boats, not blocking the path, trees for shade if the sun chose to come out (unlikely but I am ever the optimist!), and bench shaped cement wall to exhibit my wares. Once I set up my easel and decided on what I wanted to paint, I quickly realised that I needed a bigger brush than those I had brought. OK, I’ll make a note for next time and make do with what I have. Then I thought hmmmm, those white boats and white sails really need some masking fluid to make sure they stay crisp and white. No problem, I saw that I have a squeeze bottle in my backpack. Ooops, I guess I should have checked that, as the bottle is all gunked up and unuseable. Oh well, make another note ... All the time I am painting, I can’t help thinking …. This would be so much easier in the studio…. I could do this in the studio …. In the studio, I have that brush I could use for this. I finish the first painting and think OK, it’s not horrible, but it’s not good either…. I take a break and chat with a few people who stop and look at my paintings. One in particular is very nice and even says my work (the matted ones, not the plein air!) is better than that of two of her friends who are Art Teachers…. Well! Another is an artist who was born in Magog but now lives out in BC and is here visiting her mother for the first time in 2 years. And who could forget the man walking around with a Green-cheeked Parakeet on his shoulder!! So I set up for another painting, thinking this time to concentrate on the impressive grey sky and the distant mountains with their “textbook” aerial perspective … no boats, no water. Again, it turns out OK, but would have been much better and easier in the studio, if only because the water content, which is of critical importance in watercolor, is so much easier to control inside. My parking time is almost up so I pack up and head to the grocery store. At least it didn’t rain! And, wouldn’t you know it, the sky begins to show some blue as I exit the parking lot….. Conclusion? I don’t hate Plein Air painting, but I sure don’t love it. At this point, I am wondering if I just need more practice or if I should just give up on the idea. I really should give it another try… maybe I need to pack a bag and leave it in the car to be ready at a moment’s notice! What do you think? Have you ever painted “en plein air”? How long did it take you to like it? Tips? Recommendations? I appreciate them all!
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AuthorMy name is Claire Bureau. Archives
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