potting bench

I finally got outside to paint my first en plein air!! Even if it was only in my backyard!!!lol
I learned that its a problem when the sun is at your back - i had a hard time SEEING the paint in my canvas. Had to try blocking the light. I used the palette Richard mentioned in the June workshop..had a bit of trouble getting my greens the hue & wanted & I think I should have gone darker with the shadows. Your critiques are most welcome.

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Comment by Lori Ippolito on July 25, 2014 at 3:50: Thanks Ann! That hose shape is actually a flower pot holder..I love it in person, just didn't capture it so well in the painting. I did have a heck of a time withe that upper right corner..you have a keen eye!! I'd thought about putting light blue but I didn't think it made sense in the painting..there's actually so much going on behind the pot that I didn't want to include..steps, deck rail, house, window, grill!!! Lol...I still struggle with taking what I like in a scene and inventing the rest ... I'm guessing that will come with time and LOTS of practice. I saw a wonderful painting in this months international artist magazine that really opened my eyes..Inga Christensen painted a still life that in the source photo looked drab..her painting was lively and colorful. I still get so stuck in details- I tend to paint realism but want to learn to be looser and more 'painterly’ if that makes sense!!

Comment by Ann Turner on July 25, 2014 at 3:35: Very nice Plein air painting ! It is a challenge to go out there and paint, a little exciting and a little fearful. Organizing your stuff and thinking everything through is the key to having a successful experience. I like the greys of the bench that show the green foliage, the plant in the large pot has a great variety of greens. Are you concerned with the little hose shape that comes from the left corner ? It isn't clear to me what it is and I don't think you need it. It doesn't detract either so its fine if you want to leave it but if it bugs you just swish and its gone. Be careful of the mud creeping in at the top a clean purple or maybe a light area would set off the greens there.

Comment by Lori Ippolito on July 25, 2014 at 3:18: Thanks very much Laura!

Comment by Laura Xu on July 24, 2014 at 17:36: Congrats for your successful plein air painting Lori!

Comment by Lori Ippolito on July 24, 2014 at 17:11: thanks so much Michael!! I was excited about joining the plein air "club"!! It was really fun, but quite difficult! I applaud you & the other plein air artists for getting out there & battling the elements! I did feel great - hot & sweaty, but great - about seeing things in their actual light & environment. Your confidence in my little painting has made my day - you know how I value your input!! (though I will admit, the split complement was purely accidental!! - just painted what I saw. My next goal is to take what i see and try to make it better.

Comment by Michael J. Severin on July 24, 2014 at 17:03: Actually Lori, this is pretty doggone good!!! ....I do not see the "problem" you mentioned? You have a beautiful variety of greens with a nice set of split complement. Very nice muted, earthy greens in the orange pot!! ...sets off the other colors. I would not "fret" over this one, I think it is a successful painting.

Comment by Lori Ippolito on July 24, 2014 at 16:36: I'm continually drawn to that bluish pot holder - in the shape of a hose - i just don't like the way its painted..doesn't feel solid enough..it looks like a cut out pasted on the picture. I'm thinking I need to add more shadow or SOMETHING to anchor it better...or turn the form more..it looks flat. Any thoughts on how I can fix this?