Despite the bugs, Plein Air rules!

At least three bugs were sacrificed in the making of this painting. :|

I do believe plein air painting and life drawing are both essential exercises for visual artists. 

Regardless of one's usual projects and styles, these two activities help keep one's eyes open, skills honed and ego in check!

Here is my easel at my sister's country home. The drought has finished and the cattle are deep in pasture. The rains have greened up the hills (well, green for summer in Australia!)

Tranquil but for the noisy cows

I am staying with my twin sister, and we've been doing some fun things: backyard golf, target shooting! and en plein air painting from her back fence. This was a view of distant farm buildings, interrupted by a run of cattle. They were bellowing as they ran though my painting!

(I'm experimenting with painting oil on watercolour paper. This was done without a primer, and therefore was absorbing the paint a little too fast. Next one I'll try priming first.)

The Barber

Another classic scene from Chengkan Village. 

90 x 60 cm 

Oil on canvas