This summer on Salt Spring Island, I was fortunate to paint en plein air a few times with my Mum and Dad. I keep saying it but really, there’s nothing like painting on location for a rewarding experience, both in life and in technical and skills learning. So what did I learn this time?
Before I go on, let me tell you what attracted me to this scene. I have passed this place by car so many times and thought, I’d like to paint that! Why? Well first off, I’m a sucker for paths and roads that take us somewhere (obvious or hidden). I also love the light patterns made by trees over such paths. And I love yellow houses! This scene had all these elements in spades.
Let’s take a look at my progress.
En Plein Air Pastel Of The Old Creamery
At this point, it was time to go home. I was pretty pleased but knew there was still work to be done to bring it to completion.
Fast forward three months to November in the studio.
Here’s the thing that bothered me most: with the house being such a bright yellow, there wasn’t much to entice the eye to go elsewhere, and if it did do some travelling, it didn’t stay away very long. This is true both in the colour and black and white version.
So that was my job, to create a reason for the eye to circle the painting and touch all areas. The trick would be to retain the spontaneity of the piece as I made the changes. Let’s see what happens.
Gail Sibley, “The Old Creamery,” Schmincke pastels on Wallis paper, 12 x 9 in
I also wanted to point out a good value lesson – if you look at my signature in the colour version, you can see it’s red against green – two different colours and temperature. In the b&w version, you can barely make out my signature. So why is that?? Anyone 🙂
Gail Sibley,” The Old Creamery,” Schmincke pastels on Wallis paper, 12 x 9 in
So what did I learn?
In no particular order, I learned that:
1. A large yellow area in a painting is mighty powerful especially when surrounded by darker areas
2. I didn’t follow even my simplest of thumbnails. If I had, I would have had much more light in the foreground to balance out the yellow house
3. I didn’t follow my own advice and create a three-value sketch. I rushed in, eager to capture the ever-moving light. If I had, I would have had a clearer map to guide me (see #2 above)
4. It’s ever so easy to keep fiddling on a piece in the studio. Leave it be!
5. A careful analysis of why the piece isn’t yet successful is important. It pays to spend the time because then you know what to do to correct it
6. A mat helps me ‘see’ a painting that much more clearly
7. Make a change then walk away. Don’t make a judgment about it too quickly. It might be just the thing even though, at the moment of making the mark(s), you may think you’ve overdone it.
I think that’s about it….at least that’s all that comes to mind for now.
~~~~~
Okay, that’s it for me. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment. Did you learn anything??
In my next post, I’m delighted to say we have another guest blogger. I can’t wait!
Until next time,
~ Gail
PS. My painting companions! I am sooooooooooooooooo lucky!!!
![Pastels on black aper: Gail Sibley, "Untitled [at this point], Mount Vision pastels on Sansfix pastel card, 5 1/2 x 7 3/4 in](https://www.howtopastel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_9649-2-150x150.jpeg)
12 thoughts on “En Plein Air At The Old Creamery, Salt Spring Island”
Love following your thought process as you finalize your painting in the studio. So interesting how the slightest change affects the mood of the painting. From the dry underpainting to the finished painting, an enjoyable and educational mini journey. Finally, does your signature disappear in the black & white version because the values are the same? That would be my guess. Thanks as always.
Thanks so much Gailen – glad you enjoyed the post.
And YES!!! we have a winner – the signature does disappear because the two colours are the same value. Thanks for playing Gailen 🙂
Gail, another great painting lesson. I always enjoy your sharing the thought process that happens with painting. This particular lesson is another to save and read again. I’ll refer to this when I paint as a little checklist reminder.
I’m so enjoying Pastel Painting En Plein Air and replay certain areas often. There is always something new to learn as it is full of information.
Happy Holidays
S
Dear Sandi, I’m so glad you enjoyed the blog and found some usefulness from it.
And I am SUPER delighted that you are still enjoying Pastel Painting En Plein Air. I am hoping others will take advantage of my Christmas deal 🙂
Happy holidays to you too!!
Thank you Gail for posting your multiple images that show the process of completing the painting. It was very useful to me as I am in the process of doing a painting that just wasn’t working. Over the past 24 hours, since you posted, I have come back several times to look through the images and to analyse the different steps, thinking of the image I am doing and examining your photos in detail (I wish that there was a way of examining them in a block from left to right rather than scrolling up and down). It has given me a clearer understanding of where I am going wrong. You have been very helpful.
Love the brightness of the image and the subject matter as well. 🙂
Kerry that’s wonderful news!! There’s no better reward than for someone to take the info and apply it to what they are working on. Remember too the trick of looking at your piece in a mirror and upside down and from a distant point (eg down a hallway). All these things help!
Regarding the idea of putting the images together, perhaps I can do that. I’ll try to remember to do that in the future.
And I’m happy you like the way the painting looks and the subject matter 🙂
Thanks for the extra tips Gail, and it would be great if you could do the images side by side.
Have a lovely Christmas and all the best for New Year.
Glad to help Kerry!
And thanks for your good wishes for the season. The same back to you 😀
Aren’t we so very lucky to go out plein air painting with you!!!!!
It was a most interesting blog going through your steps to make adjustments to lead your eye into and through your painting. All the things we should be doing after finishing or what we think is a finished painting. Thank you for including us. Loved your dad so deeply engrossed in his work! It was a lovely fun day 😊
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, loved Dad’s total attention on what he’s doing. And you Mum, pondering your next step! It was a grand day as they all are 🙂
Hello! We bought this house in 2016! I would love to see what your mum and dad created as well!
Danielle Acken
The Old Creamery
Salt Spring Island, BC
That’s so cool that you found this!! I will have to check with them and see if they can find their work!