"Plein Air Still Life" 15x15" Oil on Canvas

Been painting this out on the deck for a couple of days. Boy did I feel rusty! I must have repainted that apple about 20 times. A great painter I recently met in California named Anne Ward inspired me to get busy painting still life outdoors. Very glad she did. I set this up in the shade under the eaves so only cool light was falling on it due largely to the overcast conditions too. Nice thing about that lighting is that it seems to give you lots of rich colour in the mid values, and the shadows are not so dark either.

I was also experimenting with M Graham oil paints and Galkyd medium and Gamblin solvent free gel. Both interesting. The galkyd medium is stickier and slightly thicker than the walnut oil I've been using but it has the advantage of drying faster. The solvent free gel gives the paint a stiffer feel - the brushstrokes stay how you leave them without settling down at all. Interesting but I'm still getting used to it.

I was looking again at Quang Ho's still lifes and also Fechin but mostly Sergei Bongart for his broad brave treatment, not that my painting turned out like that but it's certainly a goal of mine. Where would we be without goals? I've found that when I don't have them I very soon fall into boredom and despondency. Each goal is the starting point for another. Onward and upward.

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Comment by Jim Delk on June 23, 2015 at 8:57

Please, Richard, lets do some still life paintings. I learn every time I do landscapes but I think we need a variety, like self-portraits, people studies, etc. Thanks, Jim Delk

Comment by Marisa Comana Pessina on June 23, 2015 at 6:53

I read with interest your  comments  on plenty air still life...the painting and the colours  are beautiful  as always but they also triggered  my interest for still life as realize I never  liked doing.....will give it a try.   Thanks Richard. 

Comment by Christine Kirton on June 23, 2015 at 4:41
Fascinating ........... and I just love that green apple!
Comment by Sharon Casavant on June 22, 2015 at 23:40

Very nice change in style... is this our next workshop?  nice!

Comment by George on June 22, 2015 at 19:32

Beautiful apple and reflections! Excelent piece of art!

Comment by Hazel Persson on June 22, 2015 at 16:09
That is lovely Richard.
Comment by Cristina Mihailescu on June 22, 2015 at 16:07

Inspiring! Absolutely beautiful!! 

Comment by Judy Weinstein on June 22, 2015 at 14:27

I love this!!!  I love your colors and lost edges... Gorgeous!!!!

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