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New & Improved

In spite of the common practice of completing a plein air painting alla prima I think that many of my paintings in that style definitely need touching up. It takes awhile for me to see what I can fix, and it takes wisdom to know if it would be an improvement.

Today’s post shows the before, contrasted with the “New & Improved” versions of several of my plein air attempts.

This was done plein air style from a photo. Actually, now that I know plein air means open air, this was actually painted alla prima, which means in one session. Although I like it, I wanted the seaweed to be seaweed and not get mistaken for rocks.
Never mind to alla prima. The seaweed needed to be improved upon. I like it better now. I named it “A Walk to the Rock”. That is a reference to the other Moro Rock, which is actually Morro Rock. And this time I photographed it in different light, so all the colors look different. Always something. . .
This one kept bugging me, so I put it back on the easel.
I like it better now and changed the name from “Yard 1” to “Poppies Far & Near”. This time I photographed it in softer sunlight.
This didn’t have enough contrast the first time, and Moro Rock didn’t look right. I was so displeased with the first version that I didn’t even save a copy of the photo. This is the new and improved version, now simply titled “Snowball Bush”. No birdhouse, no pink roses, no red roses. Those might work if I was doing my old layering or “glazing” style. But now I am painting a new and possibly improved style.

New and improved? or just new? The verdict isn’t in yet. You will be able to see these at the 45th annual Redbud Festival.

The kittens at 4 weeks.

2 Comments

  1. I love a “Walk to the Rock”!!! I might have to purchase this one:) How I miss the coast! Thanks Jana:)
    Melissa

    • Thank you, Melissa! My favorite walk is from Morro Rock to Cayucos and back, or the reverse. The title might be a little obscure, but it suits me.

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