Plein air painting workshop second-day takeaway

I’m at the Schoodic Institute teaching my annual plein air painting workshop, Sea & Sky at Acadia National Park. At the close of play on the second day I asked my students for their
takeaways so far.

“Even an inexperienced beginner can do plein air,” said Jackie. “I was nervous at first, but first time plein air is doable. The public passers-by are so appreciative and supportive.”

“I found that if I suspend expectations about the outcome, I can let go and loosen up enough to discover things I didn’t know I could do,” said Mike. “‘The suspension of disbelief makes amazing things possible.’ And it’s probably best not to use a 3-inch hake brush for small details.”

“The more I learn, the less I know,” said Kimberly, which got a big groan of recognition from all of us. “If you take shortcuts, you’re going to get caught out sooner or later,” she added, and “I’ve learned how it’s done and why.” (To me, why is at least as important as how.)

After she told me she’d finally internalized ‘big shapes to little shapes,’ Linda said, “I am so
appreciative that I managed to get into this class this year… After years of attending the course, it just gets better.”

“I’m doing better than I thought,” said Jennifer. “If I pace myself, and get the drawing right first, and don’t overwork things, it works out okay. I’m learning perspective, how to control chroma and not to make rocks too uniform.”

Roxanne’s takeaway was simple: “I got some good oil painting techniques and also am having a really fun time.”

“I think I finally understand ‘fat over lean’,” said Lynda. “I did the whole painting without ever
touching medium, and I’m finally happy with the paint consistency.”

And last but certainly not least, Sharron said, “There’s a lot of satisfaction in finishing a project.” True dat!

My takeaways are that I need to drink more water, and that I’m still in love with the beauty and grandeur of the Maine coast. It never gets old.