Year Two Day Nine - Painting en Plein Air

Dear all, 

I am pushing the boat out this week and signed up for a week long Landscape Painting course with the mighty John Anderson. http://jdapicker.fineartstudioonline.com

We started of at St.Paul's church in Thornbury and after a short introduction, trickled our way through the back streets to 'Cynthia's House' where we hoisted our easels and waited for the green light to start painting. John is an extremely passionate and accomplished painter and is extremely eloquent and informative when teaching and I was very excited to have the opportunity to paint full-time for one whole week!

Despite the weather man was promising a week of sun, we started the day in the drizzle and I was feeling increasingly concerned as my palette started to run and my feet were turning a rather disturbing colour of blue. 

But, we fought on and the rain seemed to disappear towards the end of the day. John was adamant that we should keep things simple; easier said than done in a fabulous and fragrant flower garden.. 

 I managed to get one painting finished but found it quite challenging today having never painted outdoors before and not having very much landscape experience at all. I have realized that my periodic confidence crisis and scratching out of painting (after painting) are unfortunately habitual and will no doubt involve some sort of psycho-therapy to overcome *darn*. Saying that, Darren is very encouraging during these times and always seems to make me believe in my self again. He is pretty amazing really.

So, here is my first offering.. i'll give it 6/10 and the only way is up!