Painting en plein air in Tucson

Bob starts with a quick demo (Bart, Ruthie, Bob & Deborah)

We've started the countdown to our return to Alouette and our home port of Roanne next month.  Lots to do before we go, but our most favorite thing to do here in Tucson is our weekly painting class with the very talented artist, and most giving teacher, Robert Goldman.  When the weather is chilly, we paint indoors at Bob's studio in mid-town Tucson.  But when the weather is right, we head outdoors to try to capture the light and shadows on some the spectacular scenery here in Tucson.  This week we were in one of my favorite spots, Sabino Canyon.
The light is rather flat at this time, but we work at blocking in the major shapes and values, and as we work, the movement of the sun begins to create the shadows to give us the contrast between light and dark.  We're spread out over the area and Bob makes his way around to each of us, giving his expert advice and encouragement.

Ruthie and Bob, the shadows are developing

I love painting en plein air, you have to work fast, and for me, I have little time to be self-critical, although I do confess to bouts of whining to Bob when he comes around to help.  As opposed to studio paintings, plein air paintings are spontaneous - capturing the subject at one brief moment in time.  A few minutes later, the light will have changed and the scene will be totally different.

Ruthie and Deborah

Kathy, visiting from Rochester NY

Laurie

Ruthie and Bob