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Last week I spent a gorgeous autumn day painting en plein air in Michigan.  The weather was just perfect and the day was one of the most productive I ever had.  I did 3 paintings and several studies while traveling across the southern part of the state.

I've been told by my workshop students and my painter friends that I paint quite fast.  Looking back, I think this is how it has been with me almost from the beginning of my painting career.  Some have asked me how and why I do it.

I can say that the kind of style I work in allows me to do it.  I also keep my materials simple enough to move fast - not a whole lot of paints and brushes to fiddle with - and they can be packed up quickly.  For the "why" question, I must say first the speed is not the most important aspect if it compromises the quality of one's work.  However, especially in watercolor, I believe the speed does matter, to some degree, especially in keeping freshness and luminosity of paints.

Being outside adds more challenges to what could be an already complicated working process, but it is a great way to learn how to paint fast.  A plein-air painting may not always turn out the way we'd have wanted to but who cares if we have gained a bit more confidence in capturing the moment and sense of place that cannot be replicated in a photo.  The experience is worth the effort no matter what the result.

On a sunny autumn day in Michigan, I painted

on top of an old bridge...

"Autumn, Michigan I" (14"x20")

in a forest...

"Autumn, Michigan II" (14"x20")

and on a farm.

Several small studies (on 18"x24" paper)

Autumn, Michigan, USA III

A larger digital file available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper

Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29 cm)

Frame/Mat: No

Purchase: Please send me an email for details.

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