Naples Plein Air Painter

Sunday, February 20, 2011

This is one of my favorite things to do.  I love to draw figures but have found that they simply move too much.  The solution I came up with is to use the digital camera and then do this type of pen and ink value study which gives me all the information I need to make the translation to any painting media.  I love the way the two gentlemen are looking away from the artist at work.  I have been in this situation many times.  You want to concentrate on your painting at hand but just know these guys are going to look over your shoulder at any moment.  No one would ever do that if you were taking a photo or fixing a tire but for some reason a plein-air painter is fair game for rubber necks everywhere.  It adds to the difficulty of painting outside and I'll bet is one of the biggest reasons more painters don't do it.  Even experienced landscape and figure painters have resorted to photo references and the privacy of their studios.  

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