Painting Landscapes
The only landscapes I have painted either plein air or from photos have been on Monhegan Island. It is largely due to the immense beauty and spectacular light of that tiny Maine Island that I even began my pursuit of the visual arts. My time spent there has produced the works on this site and several that have since found new homes.
I make a point of visiting and observing a place in nature that is captivating to me. I may sit and sketch and take notes about what time of day as well as the mood the scene evokes for me. I jot down the paint colors that I plan to use and try to notice how they change as the light waxes and wanes whether sun setting or cloud cover muting the tones.
I always take a slew of photos so that I can reference them in studio. My preference for studio versus outdoor painting is largely due to physical comfort and control of environment. Having to rush a plein air painting is frustrating however it can often lead to very pure and exciting strokes and much more accurate tones and color temperature. It is much more alive and I hope to practice much more plein air painting over the years.
It is with humility that I ever attempt to call my work impressionistic since in my mind some of the greatest painters practiced impressionistic style including Degas, Renoir, Monet and Cassatt all of whom I greatly admire however it is the style I lean towards as I try to accurately depict the light and its various moods and qualities across time and space.