Daily painting #9: Misty at the church

It was an overcast, blustery, almost misty sort of day. I found myself at Concord-St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Bethesda, Maryland, and I decided to paint a side area, which encloses a garden. I wanted to convey some of the gray, cool, raw, misty, slightly breezy weather I was feeling, especially as I didn’t dress warmly enough for it.

I also wanted to experiment with ways to paint less literally. I cut out trees and asphalt, and I deliberately de-constructed the roof and other edges, to convey a more painterly feel. I like how it turned out.

Geoff Watson, “Misty at the church,” May daily painting #9, oil on panel, 8” x 10,” 2019.

Saints Peter & Paul's - Day 3

I had another lovely day at Saints Peter & Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church, this time including a fascinating meeting with the parish priest who leads the Church. He showed me the interior of the temple, and it was glorious. Then I returned to my spot in the parking lot and did my best to improve the painting. I still didn't finish; I'm going to let it dry so I can add the crosses, for example. But it's getting there.

Geoff Watson, "Saint Peter & Paul's," in progress, oil on panel, 12" x 16," 2018.

SAints Peter & Paul's - Day 2

After a day off for my daughter's graduation -- woo! -- I returned to Saints Peter and Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Potomac.  I improved the drawing, though some verticals are still out of alignment.  I hope to return at least one more time to fix those, improve the trees, add a cloud or two, paint some more windows and window trim, and -- above all -- to add the crosses to the domes.  

Geoff Watson, "Saint Peter & Paul's," work in progress, oil on panel, 12" x 16," 2018.

Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church

Yesterday I started a painting of this impressive church in Potomac, Maryland.  I set up in the parking lot behind the church because I liked the light here best.  I arrived late, so I didn't finish.  Here is my initial drawing, about 30 minutes in.

Geoff Watson, "Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church," in progress, oil sketch on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

Next, here's the painting with the darks blocked in.  A bit less than an hour in.

Geoff Watson, "Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church," in progress, oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

As I was getting ready to block in the lights, the sun suddenly came out.  I'd been planning on an overcast-day composition, so I wasn't sure whether to change my plans.  I sketched in some lights and decided to decide when I return to the scene early next week.  In the meantime, here's where I left the picture.  I've left empty white spaces for trees.  Also, some of my verticals are so crooked they look like they were drawn by a drunk.  I'll fix that next time.

Geoff Watson, "Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church," in progress, oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

Here's a look at my setup in all its glory.  My traveling road show.  

Geoff Watson, "My plein air setup," iPhone photo, 2018.

Mansion studies

I did this quick oil study of a local mansion today. 

Geoff Watson, "Mansion study," oil on panel, 12" x 16," 2018.

Here's an ink study I did of it beforehand. I think I prefer this to the painting!

Geoff Watson, "Mansion sketch," ink wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.

Behind me was the church I painted last week, so I did a quick ink sketch of it for fun too.  It might have made for a better subject than the mansion, but I wanted to try something different. I may return to the church later, as I do like it a lot.

Geoff Watson, "Church sketch," ink and wash on paper, about 4" x 6," 2018.