Tuesday Plein Air Group

The temperature was perfect and the sun was making lovely shadows on the lily pond, but some of us were just not quite feeling it.  Mike and Best-in-Show hung out—no watercolors in sight but gave us a masterclass in how to approach a plein air watercolor painting.  I was feeling lazy and overwhelmed by all those confounding lily pads, and my painting showed it.

Dona, Janel and Gail painted the park’s namesake windmill, and I painted its reflection (does that count?)

Karen painted the grazing quarterhorses, while LeAnne teased them with imaginary apples.  An indignant Cooper’s hawk flew down and criticized Gail, Janel and LeAnne’s paintings of trees.

Debborah, a fellow Arizona Pastel Artists Association painter, up for the day, set up in the shade to paint a charming oil of the landscape with Betty hidden in the foliage.  Betty and Wendy took in a wider view of the pond and park, while Sophie focused on a small vignette of the lilies, slowly unfurling in the sunlight. We tried to analyze the color of the algae oozing across the top of the water.

Kathi experimented with colored pencils, a new medium for her, and created a tiny treasure of white blossoms amid dark green pads. Karen, overly ambitious, completed a second gorgeous pastel of the pond.

Left to right: Wendy, Debborah, Kathi, Janel, Betty, Gail, Dona, LeAnne, Karen, Sophie

Next week we’re meeting at 8:00 at the Sedona Heritage Museum in Sedona at 735 Jordan Rd.  Link to the website is HERE: https://sedonamuseum.org/.  There’s plenty to paint on the grounds of the museum, including great red rock views, old barns and buildings, and plenty of shady trees.  Directions HERE: https://sedonamuseum.org/visit#shmdirect