Lurking on the Horizon

 © 2015 R.L. Delight, Lurking on the Horizon, 9"x12", oil on canvas panel, plein air

I decided to head up to Cannon Beach to paint yesterday to paint at Ecola State Park. My decision was mainly based on two reasons. The first is that my two year park pass expires at the end of this month and, while I will get a new one, I seem to want to cram in as many visits as I can in the remaining time. I am sure there is a psychological reason for that! The second reason is that I wanted to stop at the White Bird Art Gallery to have a look at a couple of artist's work. I admire both of these artists and both are local.

I stopped at the art gallery first. It is always a treat to go and enjoy and admire the art, one I don't partake in nearly enough. I was not disappointed either! I even managed to find a parking place in Cannon Beach the day before a very busy weekend. Memorial Day weekend kicks off our busiest season on the coast. This year, probably due to the nice weather, seems to be busier than usual, even during the off season.

After the gallery, I headed up to Ecola State Park. I wanted to paint at Chapman Point again. The day was foggy but I love the mysterious diffused light. It brings out the most amazing colors in the sea. When I reached my painting spot, Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach's breathtaking icon, was barely visible. I have been putting off painting Haystack Rock because of its famous icon status. I wanted to wait until I was ready, but I loved the misty illusiveness of it hanging on the horizon and decided to put it in. Of course once I started in, the fog thickened and it wasn't visible. I wasn't worried though, I knew it would be back. Sure enough, it reappeared and I was ready for it.

Here are a few more pictures of the day:

Chapman Point looking toward Haystack Rock.

A foggy view with Crescent Beach

A visit from a crow friend hoping to be invited to tea.

Breathtaking beauty.

Today is a catch-up day for the small things that need to be done to make life go a bit more smoothly. I know I am spoiled with the solitude that can be found in such a beautiful area but I find it challenging to be out painting on a holiday weekend. I don't mind talking to people when I am out painting but when they outnumber me by such large amounts it is hard to get work done and concentrate. I will be working close to home until next week.

Have an enjoyable, safe Memorial Day weekend and remember to take time to honor the spirit of the holiday!

-Renee

Climbing Up a Learning Curve

Indian Beach, Ecola State Park, 4:30 pm

I am working on a few specific things in my painting technique and process at once. I might need to narrow it a bit as I occasionally slip down that learning curve! The sun is back so I went up to Ecola State Park to paint today at Indian Beach. The tide was just coming in to high tide so there wasn't much beach to paint on. I was perched high on a bank of cobbles.
I am trying to refine a process approach to painting. I have been studying and trying to take more care in the composition I choose, create a thumbnail, do a quick drawing and block in, etc.
Well, it was a struggle today. I also added painting a larger size to the mix. I wanted to give up several times and, after looking at the time, kept on painting until the light was just too challenging.
The light was indeed challenging. When I started the sun was well hidden behind clouds but was shining brightly through thin cracks in the cloud. I figured it would come out eventually, and it did.
Unfortunately for me, I didn't realize that the low hanging winter sun this far north would burst out and shine directly in my eyes from behind my painting. The sun is still pretty low on the horizon this time of year and the colors, while beautiful, make it hard too see anything. I just couldn't see the colors accurately. It looked like my painting was in silhouette.  
I painted nearly two and a half hours before deciding to stop. I also decided to wipe the painting off. I rarely do this, preferring to keep the studies to learn from. I thought this time I would take a picture and wipe and reuse the panel.
So here is what I painted today on 11"x14" gessobord panel. A bit larger than my usual 6"x8" size.

Ecola State park plein air, Indian Beach. 11"x14", oil on gessobord.

In spite of wiping the painting away, there are a few things I was happy with. I liked the composition. I put some thought and care into selecting what and where to paint. Believe me, there is a life-time of painting on this beach to be done and it was challenging to choose! I simplified some of what I saw and included the smoke from a campfire. There were a lot of surfers in this spot today, being a weekend and having calm weather. I felt the smoke (blocked in on the far left of the painting) added a timeless element.
The painting was at the block in stage with a few details started. I am still struggling a bit with getting it all blocked in properly before adding details. Some I had to add as they were changing second by second but then I would forget to pull back to the block in. This picture was taken at an angle due to the sun.
The first photo is a parting shot from the upper parking lot and picnic area. The clouds are all but gone and the sky really was that amazing blue!
Tomorrow I plan to head back to Short Sands to paint. I bet there will be plenty of surfers in spite of the Super Bowl. High tide is at 1:30 pm. A bit of an awkward time for painting but I am just going to roll with it!
I will try the 11"x14" panel again and keep hammering away at those skills.
-Renee

Ecola State Park and Sunshine

Ecola State Park

We have sunshine! We also have mid to upper 70 degree weather! I melt in anything over 75 so it is quite warm for me. We went to Ecola State Park yesterday. Unfortunately the sunshine brings the strong winds. I spent about an hour trying to find a sheltered spot to paint on Indian Beach. Alas, the wind was blowing me and the sand around. It felt a bit like being in a sandblaster. I never even took my painting pack off. We decided to call it off and head home. On the way out of the park I spotted another road and we turned off to explore. I was determined to find a sheltered spot to paint. I found the spot above which is more sheltered from the wind. It was getting late so we decided to go back this morning. We packed up a lunch and Twill and drove up the coast. Cannon Beach is about 14 miles or so from our town.

I got set up and got to work.

Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach Oregon

Here I am painting with my brand new Coulter Plein air set up. Today was the first time I used it and I have to say, I really like it. It is lightweight and easy to pack as well as super easy to set up.
Twill insists on staying close by me. There was shade a few feet away under the trees but she made herself comfy in the shade from my easel. She had a big bowl of water to drink as it was quite warm. There was a bit of a breeze which kept me from getting too hot.
I decided to paint a larger study. I have been painting very small for several months now and I thought it would be good to mix it up a bit and paint larger. I am still pretty new to the whole plein air thing and have yet to take a class or workshop. I must admit, after today, I think it would be nice to take a workshop. I won't be able to do that this year but maybe next.
Here is the finished study. I would like to paint a studio painting from it and post it on the Paint the Parks website.

© 2013 R.L. Delight, Ecola State Park study, 11"x14", oil on gessobord.

I haven't painted in the sunshine much, maybe three or four times so I am not used to the effects of sunlight. I had the umbrella on my easel as the sun was pretty bright. The colors of the rocks were not quite right. Also I put the trees in the foreground very quickly as I wanted to focus on the water and the rocks.
It is a start and I will improve little by little. I will be painting more like the above this summer as the waves tend to be quite small and the sea fairly calm. I hope to get down the coast in July.
We are supposed to hit 80 degrees this weekend. That is very hot for us. I know others would find that temperature a relief! I will be getting the chores done and everything set for another week of painting.