Sketches at the Table

Painting this weekend has put some miles on the brush but not much else, so I thought I'd show some more sketches. While waiting for our food at a restaurant on Tybee Island, I did ten or so sketches of the clientele. Those of my sister Kay turned out best. The bottom sketch looks most like her, and is typical, since she's reading.

Sittin in the Sun Sketch

Back home now, all I see outside is mounds of dirty snow, frozen solid. But the weekend memories are with me. Wish I was still sitting in the sun, like the woman in this sketch from Saturday on the beach at Tybee Island.

Upcoming workshops:

-- That I am teaching: Daily Painting and Blogging in Damariscotta April 30 - May 1, 2011

-- That I am hosting: Liz Wiltzen Plein Air Painting in South Freeport Aug. 19-21, 2011

http://bobbiheath.blogspot.com

www.bobbiheath.com

"Georgia Sky"

"Georgia Sky"

6"x6" oil on Raymar panel

This painting was done from the parking lot of the newest college in the University System of Georgia, and the only US college founded in the 21st century, Georgia Gwinnett. It is a quite a place; superb facilities, dedicated faculty, and enthusiastic students. It was a pleasure to paint on their grounds.

Upcoming workshops:

-- That I am teaching: Daily Painting and Blogging in Damariscotta April 30 - May 1, 2011

-- That I am hosting: Liz Wiltzen Plein Air Painting in South Freeport Aug. 19-21, 2011

http://bobbiheath.blogspot.com

www.bobbiheath.com

"Tybee Island Marsh"

"Tybee Island Marsh"

6"x6" oil on Raymar panel

It's wonderful to be here in Tybee Island, GA, where it's in the 70s and the sun is shining and the beach is a block away. My sister Kay and I are having a wonderful time. Wish you were here, Sue!

Upcoming workshops:

-- That I am teaching: Daily Painting and Blogging in Damariscotta April 30 - May 1, 2011

-- That I am hosting: Liz Wiltzen Plein Air Painting in South Freeport Aug. 19-21, 2011

http://bobbiheath.blogspot.com

www.bobbiheath.com

At the Cafe and the French Opening

At the Cafe - Sketch

At the opening - Bobbi, Joelle, Suzanne, Kitty

We had a great time on Saturday night at the exhibit of our paintings from our trip to France: a huge turnout, wonderful new location for the gallery, and lots of enthusiasm for the paintings. Here we are, posing for the camera. Thanks to Bob Delaney for taking the pictures and Beth and Lee of the Yarmouth Frameshop and Gallery, for a superb event.

The sketch above is one from our trip, a couple enjoying themselves at a Cafe in Tourtour. Wouldn't it be nice to be somewhere warm enjoying an outdoor cafe?

Upcoming workshops:

-- That I am teaching: Daily Painting and Blogging in Damariscotta April 30 - May 1, 2011

-- That I am hosting: Liz Wiltzen Plein Air Painting in South Freeport Aug. 19-21, 2011

http://bobbiheath.blogspot.com

www.bobbiheath.com

Daily Painting and blogging Workshop April 30 - May 1

Value Painting (used as an underpainting in a subsequent exercise)

10 Minute Apples (see Carol Marine's new challenge blog for more of these...)

painting from a photo

On April 30th and May 1st I'll be teaching a Daily Painting and Blogging Workshop at River Arts in Damariscotta, ME. The goals of the workshop are to learn techniques for painting fast and small and to use blogging as a way to record progress and share paintings online. Above are a few demo paintings from the workshop showing some of the exercises. We had a blast last time, I hope you can join us. Contact River Arts for details.

Upcoming workshops:

-- That I am teaching: Daily Painting and Blogging in Damariscotta April 30 - May 1, 2011

-- That I am hosting: Liz Wiltzen Plein Air Painting in South Freeport Aug. 19-21, 2011

http://bobbiheath.blogspot.com

www.bobbiheath.com

"Backyard Snow"

"Backyard Snow"

6"x6" oil on Raymar panel

Yesterday I ventured out to the screened porch for my first plein air painting of 2011. It was awesome to be painting outside. I've painted this scene before, but we've had so much snow this year, it looks quite different. Well, I guess the previous version was in gouache too...

Upcoming workshops:

-- That I am teaching: Daily Painting and Blogging in Damariscotta April 30 - May 1, 2011

-- That I am hosting: Liz Wiltzen Plein Air Painting in South Freeport Aug. 19-21, 2011

http://bobbiheath.blogspot.com

www.bobbiheath.com

Liz Wiltzen Workshop Aug 19-21 in Maine

I mentioned in a previous post that Liz Wiltzen is going to teach a plein air daily painting workshop this summer in Maine. Many of you will remember Liz's 100 plein air paintings in 100 days project last summer. It was a triumph! I remember often checking Liz's blog rather than waiting for the email to come, just to see the next paintings. Liz is an accomplished workshop teacher, and I'm really looking forward to both hosting and taking this workshop with Liz. I hope you'll join me.

The workshop flyer is ready with all the details. Let me know and I'll email you a copy (my email address is in my profile or leave a comment with yours).

And check out the workshop page on Liz's website.

http://bobbiheath.blogspot.com

www.bobbiheath.com

"Island Down East"

"Island Down East"

6"x6" oil on canvas panel

Initial painting layout

Sketch

Island photo

Cloud photo

Heading onwards on an abstract path, I remembered the islands of Merchant's Row near Stonington Maine and wanted to put together something along the lines of an earlier painting, French Farm. I thought I would start with a 6"x6" oil sketch, and then go on to a bigger painting if it worked out. The two photos above show the way I remember the islands and the cloud formations. A sketch on paper helped me combine the ideas from the two photos and add the lines to create the abstract shapes. Then on to the painting. What did I learn? I like the way the lines and shapes are disjoint at the horizon in the paper sketch. I like the colors and clouds in the painting, but the tops of the trees need to go. All great information for a larger painting.

Show Opening Soon!

The opening of our French Show at the Yarmouth Frameshop and Gallery will be on February 12th from 4-7 (note new location). With more than 40 paintings in the show there will be lots to see and talk about. All four of us are really excited about the show and hope to see you at the opening.

1-2-3-Soleil

Garden Steps

Rainy Day Market

Near Pouzilhac

The paintings above are some of my favorites in the show. It's funny, for artists, the favorite paintings are often more about what it was like standing there painting them than the end result. We had a marvelous time on our trip and look forward to sharing it with you.