Finishing a Painting in Mineral King

I set up the easel in the backyard of the cabin and worked on the painting from memory and the “visual notes” I had made the day before. That’s what Marty Weekly did, so I figured it must be a good plan.

Wait! He didn’t set up in my backyard; he took it home to finish in his studio. His plan was 2 sessions, using little examples of colors and textures that he placed on the canvas during his plein air session.

Not done.
Done, but not signed. I forgot to bring my signing tool.
The obvious Mineral King solution was to use an old square nail.

It made me happy to look out the window and see a plein air painting that I liked. Being familiar with the scene, having seen Marty’s way of tackling it, and adding the details I love all made the difference in my confidence and ability.

Of course, if it doesn’t sell in about 15 minutes, I will be questioning my confidence and ability.

And there was a third session to paint the edges.

There will be a fourth session to write the title on the back and add a hanging wire.

A fifth session will be after it is dry: scanning the painting.

But wait! There’s more: it will need varnishing.

Mineral King Valley, 11×14″, $300 (+tax – welcome to California)

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4 Comments

  1. I like your painting better than Marty’s.

    • Thank you, Nadine. I so appreciate your vote of confidence!

  2. It was interesting seeing the Plein painting Marty Weekly did and the one you did.

    • Thank you, Anonymous! It was a rare opportunity to learn by observing and then be able to use what I learned, in a place I know so well.


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