| En Plein Aire (everyone welcome) |
The Kentucky Watercolor society's En Plein Aire groups meet on the first
and third Tuesdays and Saturdays at specified places at 9:30 AM
unless otherwise stated. Pat Hagan leads the Tuesday group and
Marilynn Swan leads the Saturday group. We spread out in the area in
groups or singly and paint until lunch time, about noon, picnic on our
bag lunches and then have an informal critique of our work from the
morning. Some people stay on in the afternoon to finish and others
leave. We are somewhat informal about all this, but we all enjoy the
enjoy the experience of working outside and painting on the spot. Join
us! Nobody has to be experienced to paint with us.
Pat Hagan gives us some pointers on
how to get started and things to bring on an outing:
* Bag to carry all gear
* Paper - block or Taped/Board
* Paint & Palette
* Brushes
* Water container - Water (some of our locations provide water, some
don't)
* Paper Towels
* Tape
* Easel/Stool
* Plastic garbage Bag to sit on
* Camera (if you want to finish a painting in the studio)
* Hat, sunscreen, bug spray
* Layers of clothes, comfy shoes
* Drinking water and bag lunch
* Bug Spray
and third Tuesdays and Saturdays at specified places at 9:30 AM
unless otherwise stated. Pat Hagan leads the Tuesday group and
Marilynn Swan leads the Saturday group. We spread out in the area in
groups or singly and paint until lunch time, about noon, picnic on our
bag lunches and then have an informal critique of our work from the
morning. Some people stay on in the afternoon to finish and others
leave. We are somewhat informal about all this, but we all enjoy the
enjoy the experience of working outside and painting on the spot. Join
us! Nobody has to be experienced to paint with us.
Pat Hagan gives us some pointers on
how to get started and things to bring on an outing:
* Bag to carry all gear
* Paper - block or Taped/Board
* Paint & Palette
* Brushes
* Water container - Water (some of our locations provide water, some
don't)
* Paper Towels
* Tape
* Easel/Stool
* Plastic garbage Bag to sit on
* Camera (if you want to finish a painting in the studio)
* Hat, sunscreen, bug spray
* Layers of clothes, comfy shoes
* Drinking water and bag lunch
* Bug Spray
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Pat asks us to be courteous. Ask
permission. Disturb nothing, leave nothing
flowers, grass.
Direction of sun? Light and shade. Choose
change light for 2 hours. Simplify to finish
the painting in 2 hours.
We plan outings for landmarks, parks,
historic homes, private homes, and public
spots like Shakertown or Captain's
Quarters. In general we don't consider
rain days. We don't cancel. We leave it up
to the individual to decide if he wants to
paint that day, rain or shine. However, we
do have an email list for the plein air artist,
so we can plan together for future dates
and generally discuss our art. The email list
is open to any KWS member who wants to
be a part of the plein air group. To join the
list, contact Webmaster. There is a nominal
fee for the year: $10 paid to Becky Berry,
treasurer.
Connie Kuhn at Kuhnish@aol.com
permission. Disturb nothing, leave nothing
flowers, grass.
Direction of sun? Light and shade. Choose
change light for 2 hours. Simplify to finish
the painting in 2 hours.
We plan outings for landmarks, parks,
historic homes, private homes, and public
spots like Shakertown or Captain's
Quarters. In general we don't consider
rain days. We don't cancel. We leave it up
to the individual to decide if he wants to
paint that day, rain or shine. However, we
do have an email list for the plein air artist,
so we can plan together for future dates
and generally discuss our art. The email list
is open to any KWS member who wants to
be a part of the plein air group. To join the
list, contact Webmaster. There is a nominal
fee for the year: $10 paid to Becky Berry,
treasurer.
Connie Kuhn at Kuhnish@aol.com
| TUESDAY GROUP: BRUSH WITH NATURE November: 15 we will paint at Lincliffe. Questions? call Pat Hagan at 228-1015 Our show is to be hung in La Grange at Shawn Hagan's architectural firm EnCompass which is the old library building very modernized. If you haven't seen what Shawn has done with the inside of the building that in and of itself is worth the trip. We had a lot of neat paintings delivered today. The show will run until ? La Grange has it's own publicity woman who will publicize this show for us. La Grange has it's own website. There's a lot going on in this quaint town. Attention! Free! Live Model! February 21 we will meet at the Gallery in Mellwood to paint and draw from a surprise live model. Any ideas for future sites for us? Please email me. Kuhnish@aol.com |
| CCopyright Kentucky Watercolor Society remain solely with the artists who created them. For website questions, contact the Webmaster, Connie Kuhn. |
Pat leads our gentle critique at Lyncliffe July 20, 2010
| everyone's an art critic Hermitage Farms Sept. 7, 2010 |
| Don't you wish you had come too? Seneca Park Oct. 19, 2010 |
| Luci Mistratov's "Big Rock" |
| Our last outing: Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Goshen some of us hiked to the waterfall |
| Trudi leads our gentle critique of Markey Weaver's painting in the Pavilion after a luncheon feast. |
| Sue Hinkebein's painting (forest life contributed by Becky) |
Connie Kuhn
Leslie Whitten
Jeannine Jones
Judy Mudd
"... loose, spontaneous work is full
never be duplicated- the painter "...
loose, spontaneous work is full "...
"... loose, spontaneous work is full
loose, spontaneous work is full
himself doesn't know how he got
that he was outdoors. Something
that he was outdoors. Something
differences; he felt the shadows
and the textures- and put them
down."
Emile Gruppe
never be duplicated- the painter "...
loose, spontaneous work is full "...
"... loose, spontaneous work is full
loose, spontaneous work is full
himself doesn't know how he got
that he was outdoors. Something
that he was outdoors. Something
differences; he felt the shadows
and the textures- and put them
down."
Emile Gruppe
| At our first meeting this year Luci Mistratov paints her impression of Pat Hagan's telling of her Ohio River woes and what it's done to her home. L to R: Pat, Connie and Judy |
| Judy Mudd paints our purses on a very wet May 3, 2011 |
| Connie Kuhn just has to paint a person May 3,2011 (we had to stay inside because of rain) |
| Pat Hagan at Blackacre June 7, 2011 |
| Pat and Becky (our chairman and treasurer) paint the lovely old house together at Blackacre 2011. What a team! |
| Friends at Liberty Hall July 2011 (Luci, Pat and Judy) |
| Leslie tries to pick a favorite at Lynclif June 2011 |
| We had fun at Mike Linning's after a successful painting day at Riverside August 2011 Judy, Becky, Pat and Luci |
| EnCompass where our show is being currently held in La Grange, KY (the old library building across from the courthouse) |
| How Luci sketches La Grange October 18,2011 |
| What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter. Henri Matisse |
| Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to nurture it in solitude and to follow the talent to the dark placed where it may lead. Erica Jong |
| Pat Greer and Leslie Witten at Frankfort November 1, 2011 |
| sketch and keep warm Frankfort 2011 (see the index page for how she paints in the sunshine) |
| Leslie, Judy and Luci Frankfort 2011 |
| I finally understand what Luci [Mistratov] is colors in an otherwise common color area. While driving through the countryside in the misty rain I noticed the clusters of woods across the fields were full of color. Even though the sky was gray and the usual gold and green of cut crops with winter wheat popping through gave a muted appearance there was still an abundance of color. The distant tree clusters and wooded areas were not just brown or gray, they were wine and navy with chocolate and rust patches and deep purples mixed in. Too bad I was driving and could not stop and paint or even snap a picture. (Although I have a habit of driving with a camera in my hand.) At least now I understand what Luci sees. Becky Berry November 2011 |
| Locust Grove |
| Shirley keeps busy at Locust Grove November 2011 |
| Who is taking a photo on this rainy day? November 11, 2011 |
| Our last outing was anything but dreary on a rainy day. We spent the time at Cunninghams drawing and painting in the round. This got us all laughing uproariously. November 15, 2011 |
| Pat accepts her antique ruler, a gift from the plein air group in thanks for her terrific work this year. |
| Leslie is thrilled by her artwork and Linda agrees. Wakefield Scearce Christmas Party November 29, 2011 |
The main problems are wind, precipitation, and the temperature of things. Wind: You may need to sacrifice a really good view to put your back to the wind. I often paint in a folding chair, so an extra chunk of foam on the chair-back is useful. Also, one of those fur-lined helmets with the flaps helps prevent an early loss of ears. Parkas or hoodies tend to interfere with head movements and the business of looking over your shoulder for bears. Fur-lined hiking boots are a must. "There is no bad weather for painting /en plein air/," says Barbara Jablonski "only bad painting clothes." Teach yourself to paint using leather or wool gloves. I used to cut the fingertips off, but it's only necessary if you're doing finicky work. Regular gloves or even mitts can help make your stroke broader and fresher. Precipitation: Whether straight down or sideways, snow, sleet or rain are fun-spoilers. Wet snow falling and puddling on acrylic or watercolour has only limited creative value. Oil and water, of course, don't mix. "Best Brellas" are simply brilliant on calm, sunny days--but in a gale they can move you and your work a mile down the valley. Warmth: "Scottish antifreeze" from a small flask is best. Cocoa from a thermos works but is less fun. Some ladies of my acquaintance put chemical warmers called "Heatmax Hot Hands" and "Heatmax Toasti Toes" into needy areas. I like to point out that Scotch taken orally in moderation warms all over. Some painters report the main benefit of sub-zero painting is the achievement of speed. But there's also a wonderful feeling of smugness that slips over you like a soft woollen blanket. Whether an island unto yourself or together with a gaggle of good companions, you're adrift and apart from a madding world and in soft communion with wonder. Best regards, Robert Esoterica: Acrylics and watercolours freeze easily and take on an unpleasant granular texture which stays on after they thaw. Keep all your paints, including oils, in a warm part of the car and don't leave them in a car overnight. Liquids like acrylic medium and linseed oil should be near to room temperature for best viscosity. The Russians have pioneered thinning watercolours with vodka. When ice begins to form on the palette it may seem like the time to reconsider chartered accountancy, but really it's just time for the lodge. Tomorrow will be another day. |
force, not just the light and the landscape, but also the
vitality of the world."
George Carlson
vitality of the world."
George Carlson
| JJo and Judy paint floral cards this winter in the Gallery |