Out of the Office

As an illustrator most of my time working is spent in the studio. And I love that. I love my studio. It’s comfortable and familiar. There are times, however, when one needs to leave the studio and work in the field — en plein air. Working this way has a whole new set of challenges one must overcome. From wind to dogs to rain to chatty bystanders; all of these things make for a more difficult circumstance to paint in. But there’s nothing more difficult to contend with than the shifting light and a setting sun.

I’ve painted at the Grand Canyon and on the beach in Greece (plus lots of different locations in between) and fading light is always the enemy. The elements are enough to contend with, but when you’re painting in the field you have to work fast because everything is constantly changing. Personally, I’ve yet to make a painting in the field that I’m absolutely in love with (I’m much more of a studio painter), but that will not stop me in the slightest from grabbing my gear and getting out there to lay down some paint.

This painting was done on the beach just south of Athens, Greece and, even though I got to the site early, it was still winter and I only had about an hour and a half before the sun was setting rapidly for the evening. I’ll just have to keep putting the reps in until I get better. I’m so excited for the journey and I’m even more excited to share it with all of you.