- Wow, what fun. I just spent three wonderful days experiencing this workshop and did 6 paintings! And yes, they do need a little touch up. My first painting was the on of the far right, Since it was the 1st, Stefan gave us almost 4 hours to do it. It gave us time to set up, learn to use our visual skills and paint. The second painting of the day was of Hedge Creek, and even though I enjoy doing water, I realized my values are way off. This one really needs some studio time. Day 2 was my greatest challenge. The first painting was of Mt. Shasta looming over Lake Siskiyou. Mt Shasta really intimidated me and again, my weekend challenge seemed to be to get my values right. I think with a little studio time, I can turn this one around too. Next came painting the museum at the fish hatchery. Since I do not paint building this was also a challenge. I felt like, oh boy, we went from painting a big white rock to painting a big white house. I broke everything down into shapes and think I did and okay job. But.... somehow when I added my 5th painting to my box the two kissed and so yes, more studio time needed to clean it up. The final day got us up early and on the road to McCloud Middle Falls. As the sun rose over the canyon, the mist rose over the falls. The scene changed dramaticly almost minute by minute, so I locked my intention on creating the feeling of mist on the water. Our last painting was of a quite place above the McCloud upper falls. I am not sure if it is part of the McCloud river or one of the creeks that lead into it, but it was definitely a study in green. I blasted through this painting in a short 45 minutes. All in all, I think I came home with some fairly decent paintings. But returning to Redding and 107 degree temps was almost intolerable. I think my plein air days may be put on hold until the fall unless I get away to somewhere cool. Happy painting!!
