Archive for July, 2009

Evening Landscape Painting

I have been teaching a class as part of the faculty of the Yellow Barn Studio, my first job teaching landscape painting. The class is held in the evening outdoors. This is challenging because of the rapidly changing light, as well as the usual “plein air” painting problems: rain, lightning, etc. I chose the grounds of the National Cathedral as one location to paint. The tall towers of the cathedral were sure to catch the last rays of the setting sun. I painted this small work as part of the preparation for the class. I find the cathedral and the way that its spires capture the light very inspiring. I am never quite sure what color the building’s stone is. Is it pink, yellow, orange, tan? I will have to try combinations of all of them and see if I get it right.