Rosarium Haze
June 27th, 2006
It’s very hot here in So. Cal, but this morning was delightfully overcast at Descanso Gardens, where a group of us met for some plein air painting. The sun peeked out a few times, but then decided to give us a break and hid behind high overcast for the remainder of the day. The humidity was far more than we’re used to here in the desert but the cooler forecast was most welcome.
Painting under these conditions is challenging for me because it means a radical change from the vivid palette I’m used to using when painting outdoors in bright sun. I found myself using entirely different colors, experimenting and blending more kinds of neutrals.
Mandu is maintaining - we’re taking it a day at a time, now.
STUNNING!!!! Love the view, karen and the gentle touch of your paints!
Karen this is so very lovely! You’ve done a very good joy conveying the atmosphere and the hot hazy day. I particularly like the sky it sets the mood for the whole piece. Glad to hear that Mandu is holding her own!
Jan
Karen, this is really wonderful! You certainly rose to the challenge of the overcast day. I guess it all dried differently, too, since the humidity was up …
One of these days I’m going to get out there to see these gardens and you, like it or not!
Lovely, as usual!
I love this! I have wondered how to paint one of these kinds of days and here is the answer.
Thank you, everyone …
Jan, yes, the sky is my favorite part, too. I painted it first, along with the distant mountains, with the very lightest glazes of ultramarine and cerulean blue, plus burnt sienna, bits of cad orange. The trickiest part was being restrained with the color - painting what I saw rather than what I habitually remember.
Linda, yes, the drying time was different too. But other than the background I didn’t have any areas of big washes, thankfully.
Much cooler down here in South Bay, Karen. As soon as my foot heals, I will plan a Descanso trip and I’ll tip you off in advance. Thinking of Cat Mandu.
Lovely gentle scene, I like how you used your paints here. Thinking of Mandu too.
Very nice and impressionistic scene in beautiful pastel colors. You really manage to keep drawing every day - how do you find the time?
I could see this painting hanging on just about anyone’s wall, nicely framed of course!
Must be very disciplined!
So sorry to miss this one. Now I have to wait weeks, but I will have much to share when I return from the east coast. A lunch or coffee break will be in order. Keep my place Karen.