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15th Annual Signature Watermedia International Exhibit Fallbrook Art Center

The 15th Annual Signature Watermedia International Exhibition opens this weekend (Mar 16-Apr.14) at THE Fallbrook Art Center. This prestigio...

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Two paintings, "Arche At Point Lobos" and" Pacific Swirls" to be displayed at the California Art Club "On the Water" exhibit






















Pacific Swirls 14 x11





Arche at Point  Lobos 13 x 18

On the Water
The Old Mill, 1120 Old Mill Road, San Marino, CA 91108; May 7 – September 1, 2013

Reception:
5/9/2013
5:30-7:30
626/449-5458

This is an exhibit of paintings by California Art Club Artist and Signature Members, so I am looking forward to seeing many wonderful ocean and beach paintings. It lasts all summer,  if your travels take you to Southern California this summer, I highly recommend it.The exhibit is  viewable online at http://www.californiaartclub.org/on-the-water/

Monday, April 22, 2013

"Breathing Room" new plein air landscape of the Northen California Hills, demonstration and set up

Breathing Room 12 x 22


In honor of Earth Day, I 'm posting this painting of the open space close to my home. When I drive here to paint I heave a sigh of relief as the  open fields and hills come into view. This is a rural area and my painting sessions are only interrupted by curious cows.

















My process was pretty much my usual, horizon as the starting point and working my way down the paper.

















Here's my SUV Studio  set up ,with my stool pulled out of the way.
















A passerby kindly took this "'Action Photo " I sit on the stool or in the car depending on the placement of the sun ( I keep it off the paper always!) The SUV  liftback helps shade me and my paper.

Friday, April 12, 2013

"Curve of the Earth " Honorable Mention Prize in 2nd Annual Plein Air Salon

I just found out "Curve of the Earth" won a $500 honorable mention in the 2nd Annual Plein Air Salon Competition.
Thrilled especially when I look at the other paintings and painters in the contest.
 Thank you to the editors of Plein Air Magazine and Michael Zakian.





 2.-NEWS.SALON-shelby
The Grand Prize winner: "Alterations," by Shelby Keefe, 2012, oil, 20 x 16 in. Private collection

3.-NEWS_OPENING_PRESENTATIONS_FRANZ_BISCHOFF
2nd Place winner: "Big Sur," by Jesse Powell, oil, 16 x 24 in.
Second place in the 2nd Annual PleinAir Salon Competition and a check for $3,000 went to California artist Jesse Powell for "Big Sur."
 4.-NEWS-SALON-MCVICKERS
3rd Place winner: "Sunflowers and Gladiolus," by Jim McVicker, oil, 36 x 30 in.
Third place and a check for $1,500 went to Californian Jim McVicker for "Sunflowers and Gladiolus."
 5.-NEWS-SALON-CASEBEER
Honorable Mention: "Chasing Light," by Kim Casebeer, oil, 36 x 36 in.
6._NEWS_SALON
Honorable Mention: "Hills Above Nicasio, by Davis Perkins, oil, 30 x 30 in.
7.-NEWS_SALON_ROBIN_PURCELL
Honorable Mention: "Curve of the Earth," by Robin Purcell, watercolor, 21 x 16 in.
Honorable Mention awards worth $500 were presented to Kim Casebeer, Davis Perkins, and Robin Purcell.
You can read more  about the contest here:
 http://www.outdoorpainter.com/awards/winner-of-2nd-annual-pleinair-salon-competition-receives-$15000.html

Thursday, April 4, 2013

"Fresh Greens" Plein Air Watercolor


Fresh Greens 18 x 24

 Here's the final version, after two weeks of staring and making minor adjustments , mostly to the foreground values. My goal was to keep the freshness but ad enough vibrancy to make the painting exciting. The title comes from the lovely greens in the grasses and the grazing cows nearby munching on the fresh greens.
Here's the link to the earlier version:
http://robinpurcellpaints.blogspot.com/2013/03/in-process-on-my-easel-today-fresh.html

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

"On a Clear Day" Plein Air Painting on Northgate Road on Mount Diablo

                                                         "On a Clear Day "10 x 13

A couple days ago I went up Northgate Road on Mount Diablo looking for poppies, I didn't see many poppies yet ,but was attracted to this view of the bay and hills of Marin to the North. The higher elevations on Mount Diablo are pretty dry already.  This painting involved a careful drawing of the silhouette of the slopes and the flat lands and mountains beyond.

 Here's an in process shot to give you an idea of how I started. I generally paint the lightest value I think will work in a given shape and glaze over if it seems too light later in the process.

In Process  " On a Clear Day"


Playing around with photo, the sky is actually pale yellow.