Thursday, October 25, 2007

I did this in horrible conditions: high wind and, eventually, rain. My whole set up almost fell over twice - classic plein air misery. I slogged home in a very foul mood certain I was going to wipe out the whole mess but too tired to do it right away. Then something funny happened - the sketch looked pretty good from a distance. I worked on it for a few hours in the studio and went out and did a drawing from the same spot. One day I'll fix it up; shouldn't take much.

6 comments:

jeff said...

This is good, glad you kept it.
I love the low chroma light effect.
I have to get all weather rain gear for bad weather painting.

What kind of easel do you use?

jeff said...

Congratulations on the new studio!
Elizabeth could you post some photos of the new studio?

Elizabeth Torak said...

Thanks Jeff -I mean painterdog-I hope your construction went well too and that you are no longer showering with the garden hose...I took some pictures of the studio today and will try to post them soon.

I bought a new landscape set-up this year in honor of the trip to Monhegan and also because my old half-box french easel finally broke (thankfully since I always hated it) After huge amounts of research and agonizing I bought a pochade box/tripod set-up from Artwork Essentials; here is a link http://www.artworkessentials.com/products/index.htm I bought this box rather than the M box because I like to paint with a value box and this one has room for it. Like all landscape easels it has its problems: it is slow to set up and in a high wind it is not stable even with a rock. The problem is that the attachment to the tripod is weak and balancing a box on a tripod is just not a very stable situation. Usually this is not a problem however and although it seems to take forever to get set up, once I am set-up I am more comfortable than I have ever been painting outdoors. But then again painting outdoors is an inherently unnatural act! Of course like many unnatural acts it can be a lot of fun....

jeff said...

Do you know this company?
http://www.takeiteasel.com/

They make this tripod easel that looks like it might be good for all kinds of situations.

I still have this big ol French easel, a Grumbacher from the 70's really well made but heavy.

I still use my old shelf setup.

I was looking at the Artwork Essentials but I am not sure.

We are just finishing up with the bathroom and an office space.

I did all the tile work, that was hard and a very intense learnig experience.

Got ripped off by a plumber, but found a great electrician. Reno is 'fun'.

Do you know this guy Keith Gunderson?

Elizabeth Torak said...

I don't know takeiteasel but I'll check it out -thanks.

I've know Keith for at least 20 years and probably more. He studied with Frank and came into the class just as I was leaving. You probably missed each other by about two years. I think he now lives in the New Paltz area where he does a lot of very good landscapes and has a following of students; I haven't run into him in a while.

Karen Winslow said...

Hey Lizzie..Nice sketch! I am glad that you did not wipe it out. Yes, please please post photos of the new studio!! Paint a good one!