A cloudy overcast day surrounded all the artists as we set up our easels and equipment to paint plein air at the beautiful Leonard Buck Garden, a Somerset, New Jersey County Park.  Many of the artists were interested in painting the small bridge and waterfalls.  There was a chill in the air, but the "end of season" leaves were still very colorful, and we were all excited...ready to capture nature on canvas. 

I set up my video equipment next to Howard, hoping to get his entire painting process. Then I returned to my easel to paint.  We painted for about 3 hours and I completed two small painting studies which are shown here on my blog. 

Afterwards, I took some video of each artist along with their finished painting.  Howard’s beautiful, peaceful painting included the brook, soft gray trees and a glimpse of the bridge.  Susan’s painting was lovely and included a wooden park bench surrounded by the beautiful vibrant colors of autumn’s last leaves.

At the end of the day Howard and Susan offered to critique each of our paintings which was a wonderful surprise!  All in all we had a fun-filled plein air paintout day! 

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I work full time so to squeeeeze in more time to paint, I paint on my lunch hour. 

Here’s my schedule:
10 minutes to eat
45 minutes to paint (that is, if no one interrupts me) 
5 minutes to clean up! (I use a disposable palette, one brush and water soluble oil so cleanup is quick and easy)

As a professional artist, with over 30 years of experience, including 16 years painting plein air, my paintings reflect many hours spent observing nature –the variable wonders of God’s creation - the beautiful billowy clouds passing over the mountaintops and the sun-drenched colors of summer gardens. Painting plein air demands my full attention and although it can be quite challenging, it is immensely enjoyable and rewarding. 

I am now able to complete a small (8 x 10) plein air study in 30 minutes. Click on the link below to watch my time-lapse plein air “Azalea” demo (2+ minutes long -- actual painting time 28 minutes) Link to my Demo

When I am unable to paint plein air, I am in my studio or at work on my lunch hour using my photographs and plein air studies for reference. I do not want to get bogged down with detail so I set time limits because I choose to create a painting that looks as though it was painted from life – fresh and alive!

I recently did a Lunch Hour Painting demo (Winter Farmhouse at Sundown) which is on YouTube. It was difficult to do this demo at the office as I had to set up my camera (which took about 10 minutes) and then had to paint! Click on Link to view Demo

After I completed Winter Farmhouse at Sundown, I realized that I was completely out of panels so I ordered more and was waiting for my new order to arrive. Once I received the panels, we were heading down to the shore for vacation (but I was able to squeeeeze in 8 plein air beach paintings. 

One week later we were traveling up to New York State for a family reunion. 

However, an extremely sad event happened while vacationing in New York. Rosie, our 17 year old kittie, who was being kenneled at our veterinarian’s office, became very ill and we were told that she had a possible stroke and kidney failure. We have been quite depressed that we lost our little girl but we were both very thankful to be her caretakers. She gave us love…we gave her love in return…and we are glad that she had a wonderful, long and happy life! We will miss her very much.

Shortly after Rosie died, I wanted to create a small painting for my personal healing and in memory of my little girl, Rosie. As I painted Rosie, I began to cry…wishing I could hold her in my arms. I called the painting “Rosie’s Garden”.

Cats are Wonderful Friends
Gentle eyes that see so much
paws that have the quiet touch,
Purrs to signal “all is well”
and show more love than words could tell.

Graceful movements touched with pride,
a calming presence by our side.
A friendship that takes time to grow
Small wonder why we love them so.
--Author Unknown--

Soon, I will continue my Lunch Hour Paintings. 

These Lunch Hour Paintings will be 6” x 8” and will include florals, landscapes and seascapes painted from life or based on my studies and photos. They will be included on my website under a collection called “Little Gems”. The “Little Gems” collection was created in remembrance of Rosie as she was certainly a very special Little Gem. The “Little Gems” collection starts with Rosie’s Garden and I will also be including several 6 x 8 plein air paintings. Then I will start posting my Lunch Hour “Little Gems” as each one is completed. Click Here to see “Rosie’s Garden” on my “Little Gems” Collection 

Sign up for my Email Newsletter and you’ll be informed when I begin to upload my “Little Gems” paintings. You will also receive the latest information such as new Blogs; YouTube Videos; present Exhibits and Awards; and new Plein Air and Studio Paintings. 

Kind regards,
Ramona

My video painting demos take approximately 1 - 3 hours.  I then use background music selected from a wonderful site called Musopen.  Musopen is an online music library of copyright free (public domain) music. Although I have done some alla prima indoor demos, I focus specifically on doing plein air demos for the purpose of encouraging the aspiring artist to go outdoors and paint from life. 

Some of my demos include a real time and/or time-lapse version so the viewer can have the advantage of seeing both. The real time version helps the viewer see the type of brushstrokes I use. On the other hand, the time-lapse version shows most of the painting process from start to finish. 

What is really wonderful about doing these oil painting demos are the emails I receive from artists asking questions about my painting process and I am always happy to provide encouragement and answer their questions (or reference outside sources for the answers).  I always make a point, however, to discuss the reasons why an artist should paint Plein Air and its importance in the learning process.

This past month, however, I discovered something new. These demos are also for my benefit.  Back in my studio I can watch the demo and see the whole painting process. I can also see where I used poor judgment. I can see a “good painting gone bad” and when and why it happened. Perhaps it was my color choice or I didn’t know when to stop and overworked the painting! These oil painting demos don’t ever get uploaded to YouTube but they’re valuable and constructive as they are used to self-critique. 

My plein air oil painting demos were designed to encourage the aspiring artist but to my surprise I discovered they are also a wonderful learning tool for me.

Click here to link to my Video Demos
Ramona Dooley
www.RamonaDooley.com

There are art schools, workshops and videos but with today’s declining economy we’re all trying to save money…so how can you learn to paint on a limited budget?

Do a study from a Master's painting. Working from an original painting at an art museum would be best (permission must be granted) but you can also use a photo from one of your art books or magazines or surf the internet for your favorite painting. Be aware of copyright infringement, however, and only do a study from paintings dated before 1923 “…any work of art published before 1923 is in the public domain; and many works published beween 1923 and 1978 remain in copyright today.” (see U.S. Copyright Law – http://www.copyright.gov).

An artist can sell their painting studies but should sign the painting by including the name of the Master Artist (i.e., “Ramona Dooley copy after Frederick Frieseke”). 

The two paintings on this blog were done for educational purposes. My first study (shown above) was American Impressionist, Frederick Carl Frieseke’s, “Garden Parasol” (1910).  

I am inspired by many of the American Impressionists but Frieseke’s “Garden Parasol” is one of my favorite paintings. Although the blue tea set on the table is not the focal point of this painting, it reminds me of my grandmother’s tea set. In 1910, my grandmother could have posed as one of the “Garden Parasol” women.

I have plans to do a series of paintings using my grandmother's tea set including some indoor still life and outdoor table scenes influenced by Frieseke’s painting.

The second painting I did (shown below) was a study of “Le Cage Ensoleillee” (The Birdcage) (the photo I used did not include the entire painting) by Richard Edward Miller, who is another splendid Master Impressionist. I just love the vibrant red shawl, the colorful dress and the painterly way he “suggested” the bird in the cage!

So get those paints and brushes out of your closet and Learn How to Paint – Copy a Master!

I started painting at an early age and my style was realism.  I painted in a traditional manner, allowing the paint to dry before applying more layers.  About 7 years ago, I switched to water soluble oil as I developed an allergic reaction to the solvents. I also didn’t like the smell of the solvents and solvents are  harmful to humans and to our precious earth. 

In 1993 I began to paint plein air and my style evolved from realism to impressionism. Presently I use Lukas Berlin or Winsor Newton water soluble oil, and a small amount of water when I want to thin the paint and tone my canvas. Since water soluble oil dries faster and I like to work while the paint is wet, I complete most small studio paintings within one to three days. However, there are times when working wet into wet is not always possible. Here is a list of colors I presently use:  Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light and/or Alizarin Crimson, Deep Ultramarine Blue and/or Cobalt Blue,  Permanent Green Light and sometimes Burnt Sienna and for landscapes I may limit the colors to the 3 primaries.  However for my garden landscapes I may add several other colors.

Since I’m not yet making a substantial “living” from my art business (and retirement is still a few years away), I have to work full time. But I love to paint. So whenever I can squeeze in some time to squeeze out some paint, I paint. 

Since I use water soluble oils which don’t have a strong odor, and because I have such a wonderful supervisor who does not mind that I paint on my lunch hour, I get to squeeze in some time to paint. 

So here’s my lunch hour schedule:

10 minutes to eat
          45 minutes to set up and paint 
          5 minutes to clean up!

Be sure to check my website in the near future for a continuation of "Lunch Hour Paintings”, or simply sign up for my Email Newsletter, and you’ll receive all the latest information on my website including new Blogs; YouTube Videos; present Exhibits and Awards; and recently uploaded Paintings.

I am a self-taught artist and I just love to paint plein air! 

I started painting at an early age using photos for reference. In 1993, I met John Stobart, a world-renowned marine artist, and he advised me to paint on site (plein air).  He also said that nature was our best teacher. 

Since that time I truly enjoy plein air painting but I also do studio paintings using my photos and plein air studies.

My suggestions are not new but I thought I would provide you with some simple advice that I either learned over the years, or information I received directly from artists or by reading instruction books and watching videos.

Start by learning how to Mix Colors. Most aspiring artists do not want to take the time to learn how to mix colors – they just want to “get to the good stuff”.  But learning how to mix colors is essential. 

Use a limited palette.  If you use too many colors, you may not remember how you mixed the color and you will have difficulty matching the color again. Remember, the basic primaries – yellow, red and blue, are all that is needed to create a harmonious painting.  

Practice mixing grays. Premixing a cool and warm gray using your 3 primaries can speed up the painting process when working outdoors. After you complete a painting, scrape off the excess paint on your palette and store it in plastic containers to reuse for “grays”. 

Don’t be skimpy with your paint. If you use lots of paint, it is easier to manipulate the paint on your canvas. 

Don’t overmix paint on your palette or on the canvas. Lay the paint down with one brushstroke, and if possible, leave it alone. A palette knife can also be useful and be sure to vary your brushstrokes.

Use quality paint and brushes.  Generally I only use one brush – a bristle bright. As a beginner, you can use a panel board (usually sold in quantities of 3), which can be purchased at your local art supply store. Use a panel board no larger than 8 x 10 (smaller would be better). Once you start “selling” professionally, you should always use quality canvas and/or panel. I use a variety of linen stretched canvas or linen on panel.

Purchase an Easel that Suits your Needs. You will need a good easel and there are many to choose from. Do a Google search for “plein air easels” or go to your local art supply store.

Start Simple – do a still life with one piece of fruit on a picnic table or paint a tree or some flowers. 

Pick a Subject Matter that Interests You and then paint it over and over again. I have done 6 plein air paintings of my neighbor’s home and am sure I will paint it again. Most of those paintings were for study purposes, however, “Neighbor (March)”,which is featured on this blog, received an award.   

Don’t Worry about Making Mistakes – even the Masters had plenty of unfinished paintings. 

Get enthusiastic and Happy Painting!
CLICK HERE TO LINK TO MY PLEIN AIR PAINTINGS

 Myrtle @ Twilight
 
Ó2008 Ramona Dooley - All  information on this website is copywritten and may not be reprroduced without the express written permission of  Ramona Dooley.