25 July 2013

Plein air painting on Salt Spring – A Visit to the Vineyards

Home » Plein air painting on Salt Spring – A Visit to the Vineyards

A couple of weeks ago, I went to visit my Mum and Dad on Salt Spring. It had been a while since I’d spent some time with them and although I have good friends on SSI and always want to visit everyone, I decided to spend the time wholly with my parents. We planned to paint plein air and that’s what we did.

We ended up at Mistaken Identity Vineyards, a delightful place to spend part of the day pastelling en plein air. Here is the progression from first thought to final piece (finished in the studio).

The initial thumbnail sketch, 1.25 x 1.5 in - so the size in the post is way to large!!! — The initial thumbnail sketch, 1.25 x 1.5 in – so the size in the post is way to large!!!

I did a second thumbnail to redesign the composition slightly - showing more of the vineyard and less of the trees in the distance — I did a second thumbnail to redesign the composition slightly – showing more of the vineyard and less of the trees in the distance. I also played around with the angle of the row of vines and went more with the alignment in the first sketch.

Here's the sketchy charcoal drawing on Wallis paper. — Here’s the sketchy charcoal drawing on Wallis paper – just a bare indication of the design. You’ll notice it’s WHITE Wallis where I usually use beige or toned-with-watercolour paper (as in my demo videos). This was something I hadn’t dealt with before, certainly not en plein air.

The Schminke pastel selection I have to choose from. These pastels come in a beautiful wooden box. They are perfect for plein air painting! — The Schminke pastel selection I had to choose from. These pastels come in a beautiful wooden box. They are perfect for plein air painting!

Here comes the first colour. I applied then brushed with a paper towel, trying to cover the glaring white paper! — Here comes the first colour. I applied the pastel then brushed with a paper towel, trying to cover the glaring white paper! There was a deep shadow on the right hand side of the vines, hence the deep blue.

Now I pretty much have the white covered. It's time to dive in! — Now I pretty much have the white paper covered. It’s time to dive in! One of the things that attracted me to doing the scene was the light coming between the twisted stems of the grapes. Here I have begun the barest indication of them. I’ve also strengthened the far edge where the vines meet the background trees.

More pastel added. Moving along slowly, I build up layers. I am using a limited palette of Schminke pastels (as seen above) so need to create the colour I see with only a few pastels.

Pretty much how I left the pastel on site. By now the sun had moved around so much that the only cast shadows to be seen where right under the vines. Time to pack up and leave.

But that wasn’t quite the end of the story. Mistaken Identity Vineyards were holding a summer celebration that Sunday and it was just beginning to get underway. The local newspaper’s photographer, Jen MacLellan, was on hand and snapped a few shots of me pastelling en plein air.

And the following Wednesdaythis fine photo of me appeared in the Driftwood newspaper!

Gail's photo in the Driftwood Newspaper — Gail’s photo in the Driftwood Newspaper

So much for a quiet sneak onto Salt Spring. I hadn’t let anyone other than my parents know I was visiting and now everyone knew I’d been on the island!!! Cracked me up I’ll tell you. 🙂

Here’s a view of the vines I was painting:

And here’s the final pastel after a bit of tweaking in the studio. You can see I warmed up the backlit vines as well as the ground. I also added some mauve areas, for instance, in among the background trees.

Gail Sibley, "Pinot Gris," pastel, 9 x 12 in — Gail Sibley, “Pinot Gris,” pastel, 9 x 12 in.

So remember, beware of sneaking around in vineyards!

Before I leave, I wanted to let you know that I will be teaching a two-day plein air pastel workshop on Salt Spring 24-25th of August. If you are on my list of people interested in workshops, you will receive an email with more details in the next couple of days. If you are not on that list and would like more info, please let me know. And I encourage you to spread the word to anyone who might be interested! It’s open to all levels.

Thanks for spending this time with me. If you have any questions about this process or about painting en plein air, please leave a comment with your query.

Thanks so much for reading.

~ Gail

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Using black paper: Gail Sibley, "We Three," Unison Colour pastels on UART black 400, 12 x 9 in - detail of shoes

Using Black Paper For Pastel Painting

Backyard plein air painting: Gail Sibley, "Backyard Hollyhock," mostly Unison pastels on UART 400 grade paper, 12 x 9 in.

Backyard Plein Air Painting – Hollyhocks

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2 thoughts on “Plein air painting on Salt Spring – A Visit to the Vineyards”

Carla Kelly
Monday, 23 June 2014 at 10:11 am

As a neophyte, I need all the help I can get. Loved the way you present your art, and found your videos quite helpful. Need more!

Reply
1. Gail
  Monday, 30 June 2014 at 3:50 pm
  
  Many thanks Carla. I’m on it!!
  
  Reply

Gail Sibley

Artist. Blogger. Teacher.

My love of pastel and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastel inspired the creation of this blog. It has tips, reviews, some opinions:), and all manner of information regarding their use through the years – old and new. Please enjoy!