All posts tagged Livermore

Plein Air in a Barn ?

Barn at Hagemann

“Barn at Hagemann Ranch”, pastel, 11×15

I joined a group of plein air painters and the California Art Club who were painting on location at the Hagemann Ranch, which is listed on the National Historic Register in Livermore, CA . It was an overcast day a few weeks ago that turned to rain. Pastels and La Carte paper need to be sheltered from the elements, so I positioned my easel inside one of several barns on the ranch with a view of another barn outside the doorway.

Hagemannbarn.jpg

Photo of Hagemann Ranch Barn, Livermore, CA

The actual scene in the foreground was a vacant parking area, so to improve the composition and to create a lead in I used some artistic license. I created a pathway into the scene surrounded by dry grasses in a warm tone which contrasts with the cooler tones of the barn.

Although, I was painting in the shelter of a barn, since I painted most of this piece on site, I consider this a plein air painting. Do you agree?

Technical notes:
Sennelier La Carte paper, Pastels by Terry Ludwig, Sennelier, Unison, Rembrandt, NuPastels, and Conte pastel pencils.

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by lindabeachstudio on November 26, 2017  •  Permalink
Posted in Painting, Pastel, Plein air
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Posted by lindabeachstudio on November 26, 2017

https://lindabeachstudio.wordpress.com/2017/11/26/plein-air-in-a-barn/

Abundance

fountainsketch

Livermore Fountain, ink and watercolor sketch

livermorefountjpg

Early stage -Photo on location

There has been a drought in California. There has been a shortage of posts on this blog in addition to the severe lack of precipitation. Despite the drought, this fountain in the heart of downtown Livermore, California continues to put forth cascades of water. It once seemed like an excess when the average resident was going to great lengths to conserve the precious water. My worries were put at ease when I learned that the fountain used recycled water. The symbol of abundance in the Livermore Valley was a challenge to capture in this sketch. I see several errors in the structure of the trellis, but I tell myself that this is a sketch. The goal is not to make a completely accurate rendering, but rather capture the essence of the scene. I hope that was achieved.

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by lindabeachstudio on November 15, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in Art, California, Sketching, Watercolor
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Posted by lindabeachstudio on November 15, 2016

https://lindabeachstudio.wordpress.com/2016/11/15/abundance/

Grapes to Wine

"Between the Vines", pastel, 18x24 “Between the Vines”, pastel, 18×24

The exhibit “Grapes to Wine in Art” is on display at the Livermore Library. My pastel, “Between the Vines” is included in the gallery show which is one of the programs related to wine country living. The event pairs art, the book, “A Good Year” by Peter Mayle, movies, lectures, and geocaching that involve the community with all things wine related. It was good to see so many at last night’s artist reception enjoying the variety of art. The show features pastel, watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings, photographs, collage, and painted ceramics.

“Between the Vines” is a studio painting inspired by a spring scene at a local Livermore vineyard. I was drawn to the profusion of wildflowers between the rows at Wood Family Vineyards. The vines shown with perspective awaited pruning and reached to the clouds in the sky.

Painting notes: landscape with one point perspective on Wallis museum paper. I used an underpainting of pastel washed down with water.

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by lindabeachstudio on February 5, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in Art Materials, Art Show, Books, Wine, Wine Country
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Posted by lindabeachstudio on February 5, 2015

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