Sunday, August 2, 2009

Winter at Velddrift

One of the aspects of painting that I still hesitate doing, is plein air painting. I need photo references. Sad, but true. Maybe one day I'll take all my oil painting paraphernalia and set up somewhere in the surrounding countryside. Until then, it's photo references!

This was taken by a friend who paints with our group every Friday. He is lucky enough to have a holiday house up the West Coast in a fishing area called Velddrift. His
is one of 3 houses in the area and this is the view from his front 'garden'.

Winter in the Cape, and especially up the West Coast, has it's own bleek kind of beauty. A Winter rainfall area, everything seems wet and damp, but the w
ater brings out the most glorious colours when the sun shines.

But wait! About 3 weeks ago, I did try a plein air piece. This was done from a friend's house in Tableview. She has the most magnificent view of the vlei, which is home to an incredible amount of birdlife, leading through to this panorama of Table Mountain. The day we were there, the clouds danced in and out and around the mountain, first hiding then revealing this beautiful mountain we live with every wonderful day. I don't think I've done it justice, but there it is, my plein air piece!




22 comments:

Ajay Patil said...

plein air is dificult but its fun.Hope to see more

Charlene Brown said...

Beautifully done in an especially difficult plein air location! I went to Bloubergstrand once, which must be very close to where you were, intending to paint a postcard. With the late afternoon cloud cascading over the cliffs, I could barely keep up to the changing views of the mountain with my camera!

Diana Marshall said...

I know what you mean about plein air, the only time I tried it was when I lived in Spain and I got sun stroke!

Anonymous said...

Plein Air - a real challenge, I like my studio and comfort when I paint!

Krista Hasson said...

I to find Plein Air a challenge, but it gets easier the more you do it, this is a great first Plein Air piece, cant wait to see your next one

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

I was painting Plein Air steadily until I got into the Poison Ivy and my head swelled up like a pumpkin! That was 2 years ago but I think I'm ready to try again (I'll be more cautious next time). Nice Plein Air piece, I find them very difficult also.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Liz, I LOVE the simplicity of this plein air piece! You should do it more!!

Arti said...

Great thing you got your first plein air piece..I am still to do one....but it must be fun , I guess.And we all have to try it some day!

Maree Clarkson said...

Love the 'Winter at Velddrift' Liz and congrats on your first plein air! It's lovely - Now didn't you enjoy that?

Autumn Leaves said...

I think both paintings are wonderful!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Ajay. If you think plein air is fun, I'll take your word for it! Not 100% convinced!


Hi Charlene - wow didn't know you know Cape Town! Yes, Barbara's house is close to Bloubergstrand just a little further in. Nearer to Sancob. She has the most awesome view.

Art with Liz said...

Ahh Diana, a soul mate as regards plein air!!


Hi Carolann, I so agree with you!

Art with Liz said...

Thanks for the visit Krista and for being so nice about my little plein air watercolour! I don't know when the next one will be - maybe I'll wait until Summer!


Wow Rhonda - poison ivy?! That would put anybody off plein air.

Art with Liz said...

Saundra you are so kind but I really prefer dogs and cats! (and people). But I will try again sometime.


You are so right there Arti. I believe you should try everything and with plein air, even with my struggling, I will try again. I look forward to seeing your first plein air piece.

Art with Liz said...

Truthfully Maree? Not as much as I enjoy dogs, cats and people!


Thank you so much Autumn Leaves, for the visit and the lovely comment. I will be visiting your blog as well.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

I almost always paint from photos! I have tried plein air, but hate it! Too lazy I guess to put up with the inconviences, so, I decided a long time ago to not make excuses for painting from photos or for my lack of interest in sketching. It's the final result that counts, and yours are great!

Cathy Gatland said...

Apparently plein air is quite addictive when you get going... I haven't got going yet! Your Table Mountain is lovely and soft - very reminiscent of a gentle cloudy day in the Cape - and in the West Coast one you've caught a beautiful peaceful light.

Art with Liz said...

Carol, I think you've hit the nail on the head - too inconvenient, too lazy - I think that's me! Thanks for the compliment.


I think you're half way there Cathy with all the sketches you do around Emerentia Dam. The West Coast has its own beauty and I'm glad you like this.

FitFoodieMegha said...

Hey Liz, I LOVE the color of this plein air piece! I have never tried this one...You should do it more!! I am waiting to see more of it..

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SharonWrightArtist said...

Such tranquility, beautiful! As for plein air...don't do it! In my experience, no matter the weather, you get cold, and that is no good for the creative juices!

Carol said...

Hi Liz
For a first time this en plein air piece is really fantastic. It took me a while before I managed anything presentable and even now most of what I do gets painted over again!!!
The velddrift one came out beautifully too. We will have talk him into letting us come and paint from his "front garden"!