Plein Air-ing it

"Alexandria"

10 x 8 in

Oil on Canvas

I love long weekends especially at the cabin with family and friends. Sleeping was the number one thing in the agenda and I am happy to say that I succeeded. Second to sleeping was continuing my journey with plein air paintings. As I mentioned in previous post landscapes are not my strong suit, but I do have an admiration for them and enjoy painting them any chance I can. I wanted to try to capture the time of day as fast as I can without having the distraction of putting every hair on a dog.  My goals were to capture the time of day, mood in the painting, and edit my process.

Similar to my previous post, I started with the top left picture with just a quick gesture of the landscape. I only want to capture the essence of the scene and its perspective. The top right picture shows my next step, this stage I only ad the overall tones for each section of the painting. This stage I like to call the "rough" in stage, still going quick to capture the type of light I want, similar to doing gestures but with color. This stage allows me to see how the overall color and mood that will be in the final painting. I want to try to keep close to this palette the further I move away from this stage and closer to the final. The bottom left picture I start to zero in on a section and take it to a finish. I first start with the darker values and move to the lighter values. In this stage I am taking the tree's in the foreground and the tree's in the background to a close finish. Then on the bottom right picture I complete the lake and sky, repeating the same process in working from dark to lighter values.  When all the shapes and values are stated in the painting and close to a finish I can then go around and put the finishing touches. 

Painting on location.

Here is another painting I did when the sun was starting to set the previous day. This was a really quick painting as the clouds were going in and out. The size of this painting is 5 x7 inches, being restricted to that size allows you to go much quicker.

Thank you again for stopping by and viewing. I hope you enjoyed this post and the paintings. Till next time, cheers!

Plein Air Painting

 

Email me if interested in purchasing
"Dust"

9 x 12 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I went up north to Park Rapids, Minnesota for vacation. Every year I go up I always leave saying "I wish I brought my paints with me!", finally I did! I am the first to tell you that painting landscapes have always been a weakness of mine. I do love them I just do not do them enough, maybe once or twice a year I'll get out and paint a landscape. Going to Park Rapids I wanted to change that and at least do a couple landscapes.

Experiencing nature when you're outdoors painting is something that I truly enjoyed. I would recommend everyone to do it as much as they can. With this process I wanted to lay down the tone or mood of the painting right away. After the initial drawing I painted each section with their general tones, not worrying about details just laying in the overall tones. Doing this allows me to see a "rough' draft of how the final will look, it also lets me get the tones down quicker especially for plein air painting. As I stated in my previous post the "rough" in stage does not mean scumbling paint everywhere in a messy way. I am still thinking of smooth transitions, edges and paint quality. At this stage I also keep the paints thin as I will be adding more layers when putting in the smaller forms or "details". Once the "rough" in stage is complete I start section by section in completing the painting, going from darker to lighter forms. I like to make sure each section is to a close finish as I can take it before moving onto the next section. Once all sections are completed I look at the painting as a whole and put the final touches so the painting can be cohesive.

Till next time, cheers!

Oak On The Hill

Oak On The Hill

12 x 12 Oil on Panel
SOLD

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

This is a painting I did this summer at one of our plein air events. I just have never posted it. I think

I've forgotten to post a few, so there may be more showing up.

For more paintings please visit my website and blog!

Autumn on the River - plein air landscape by Deb Kirkeeide

"Autumn on the River"

9 x 12 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

My thoughts keep wandering to the west. This is the time of the year I would be in Wyoming painting but unfortunately it wasn't to be this year and I miss it.

This painting was from last year's trip. A couple of us set up on (and in) the river to paint one day. I always seem to be drawn to these complicated subjects - this fallen Aspen no exception. After realizing I was "thinking" too much I decided to just let loose and go for it. It's very loose but to me it tells the story and reminds of that beautiful day with good friends and good times. What more can you ask for?

Autumn on the River

$350 Purchase here.

Please visit my website or blog for more paintings

O'Connor House - MN River Arts Plein Air

The O'Connor House

9 x 12 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

Another view of the previous house but from the front. I was really drawn to this house and I'm pretty sure it was the color that pulled me in. What with all the green we tend to have all summer, it's nice to see some nice warm color against it.

$350.00 Purchase Here. 

Please visit my blog and website for more paintings.

On the Sunny Side - Minnesota River Arts Plein Air

On The Sunny Side

9 x 12 Oil

©2012 Deb Kirkeeide

Saturday was the culmination of the plein air event at the first annual Minnesota River Arts Fair. This painting is one of two that I entered into the culminating show and competition. It was a brutal

week with the weather being horrendously hot and there were some dedicated painters out there

every day. I admit it, I'm a wimp when it comes to hot weather but I managed to get in 2.25 days during the week. This was painted at the end of the first day. 

The event was held at The Landing – Minnesota River Heritage Park, in Shakopee, MN. This 88-acre living history museum depicts life in the Lower Minnesota River Valley from the 1840s–1890s with authentic 19th-century buildings, demonstrations and a scenic river trail and overlook. It was my first time visiting the park - and I only live 15 miles away! Funny how you never get out to 'site-see' in your own area!

More paintings coming up!

"On The Sunny Side"

$350.00 Purchase Here

Please visit my blog or website for more paintings. 

A Spot of Color Along the River

A Spot of Color Along the River

8x8 Oil

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide.

We didn't venture far for this. Just a short walk to the river on the ranch. Now, what to paint....hmmm... I know! I think I'll pick one of the more difficult things here. I started painting and the result to me was just a big mess. So in a last ditch effort I pulled out the pallette knife and went for it. It's still a bit of an abstract mess but I really kind of like this little spot of color along the river.

For more paintings please visit my blog or website.

Morning Serenity

Morning Serenity

16x8 Oil on Linen

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide.

Same island. Different time. Different morning. Different surface.

This was painted on a linen panel which seemingly sucked up the paint as fast as I could put it down. Much different approach than the previous painting and panel, which didn't seem to absorb anything. I like how the surface dictates the style of the painting. In this case it was perfect. 

For someone who is typically not subtle - I love the quiet and mysterious energy in this.

Purchase Here.

It's all about the journey...

Misty Morning in French Regional Park

8x16 oil
© 2011 Deb Kirkeeide

This is the result of a paint out with a few OPM members. It was a a pretty misty, grey day and it was early, but it was close to home and I decided it was time to get my butt out there and paint. I haven't

painted en plein air for over a year. I'm really glad I did. There were only four of us but it was a great way to spend a few hours on a Saturday.

In three separate conversations, the phrase "it's not about the end result, it's about the journey" came up.

Three times! That to me, is a definite message from the Universe to pay attention. Also mentioned was the book Art and Fear, which has prompted me to revisit that book. I'm only partway through it but I'm realizing a few truths here  - stayed tuned... I'm expecting a big awakening here!

I have to admit, this Saturday, I let go of the results and just enjoyed the journey. And I have to admit I've gotten a great response from this painting.

Hope you all are focusing on the journey and havin' a blast!

For more paintings visit my website and blog

Under Grey Skies, the Stream Meanders

Under Grey Skies, the Stream Meanders

John Currie

8 x 10

oil on linen panel

Usually, grey skies equal lifeless paintings. That's my plein air experience, at any rate. This particular afternoon, however, I loved discovering all of the gentle nuances carried in the layers of greens, from the edge of the stream to the forested mountains beyond. This time, the lack of definition was the surprise in the Cracker Jack™ box.

© 2010 John Currie

Cracker Jack is a registered trademark of the Frito Lay company. Its inclusion here does not imply an endorsement of this painting nor of the artist, but the aforementioned artist will always have fond memories of Sailor Jack and Bingo™.

Sailor Jack and Bingo are registered trademarks of Cracker Jack and the Frito Lay company. Neither one of them was harmed in the making of this painting.