Provincetown Lane

Pearl Street

Recently I painted this lane in Provincetown for my show; that has taken up my time.
I painted this scene many years ago when I attended the Cape Cod School of Art, since it's just down the street.  I never felt that I was able to paint a good version of this lane, until now.
I have been trying to get a little depth in my painting so this scene is a challenge to organize the arial  perspective as in  background, middle ground, and fore ground.

Margaret McWethy workshop

Margaret McWethy is a great artist who knows more about still life painting than anyone I have had the privilege to study with . This past week I attended her demo. I have been busy getting ready for my show tonight, but found time to watch Margaret's demo at the Cape School of Art. Margaret pointed out the anatomy of the still life,that is so important for a still life painter.

Cottages by the Sea

Up the Road from Days Cottages, in North Truro is another scene I love to paint. The view from Highhead has many points of view and perspective. Two body's of water , Cape Cod Bay and Pilgrim Lake divide, the scene. 

High Key

This mornings light was a typical high key due to humidity.
Most people consider all impressionist painting high key, due to the brightness and little contrast.
There is quite a lot of contrast on a clear sunny day. Fog and humidity make a seemingly sunny day very high key, meaning there aren't a lot of contrast.
Similar situation arises in a cloudy day. I found this morning the colors where very warm and little contrast.

Days Cottages

Days Cottages are the beach cottages  nestled at the bottom of High Head and run along 6a in Truro.
I have been painting them on and off for years.
The lupine growing in the field made me inspired to paint them once more.

The Grassy Lane

The Grassy lane in Provincetown has been painted by all of us for years.
Cars parked down the lane many years ago I'm told by longtime residence. Now grass covers the old car tracks.
The lane is really a garden with houses on it and is a tour deforce of roses; creating a fantasy land environment.

Developing the Painting

Rooftops

Developing the painting has it's challenges. I seldom work on a painting in one sitting, "One Shots".
I usually return the next day at the same time in the same lighting conditions.
Nothing can replace the color and the experience you get from painting consistently from life.
I will get rid of the white spots in my studio however, and sign the painting.
I might work on a painting for two or three weeks.
I love to start the painting for me, that's where the fun is. Developing the painting takes patience and that's a bit of work.
This rooftop painting will take a couple more sessions to finish.
I like to think of developing paintings rather than finishing paintings. When the colors are true and I can't see anymore variations of color I begin to but on the smaller details.
It's interesting to see all the types of plein air paintings and methods folks have for outdoor painting.
It's a bit of a fade to see all these quickie "one shots", however it's important to have a great start of a painting then a developed crummy composition.