Daily painting #86: Rehoboth Beach

It was a day at the beach! I sat with my family on busy Rehoboth Beach, and I dug out my oils and sketched the scene in front of me. I didn’t want to lug an easel or tripod, so I just had the linen panel and palette on my lap.

Given the challenging circumstance, I wasn’t expecting to paint a masterpiece. My plan had been to put in a few basic strokes, photograph the scene, and finish back at the house later. But I got enough done that I decided just to leave it the way I painted it on location. Neither of the two photos below quite does it justice, but they should give you the basic idea.

Geoff Watson, “Rehoboth Beach,” oil on linen, 6” x 12,” 2019.

When I was photographing and editing the picture, I inadvertently applied some sort of filter to it. Here’s what it looks like. Kinda cool!

Geoff Watson, “Rehoboth Beach,” oil on linen, 6” x 12,” 2019.

Daily painting #68, and my pochade box

Here’s the little pochade box I used for all my little paintings while visiting New York. It fits 6” x 8” panels, and it’s made by Guerilla Painter. As you can see, it’s pretty small and basic, but the design is clever. The palette slides away to reveal storage space for paint tubes and such.

Geoff Watson, photo of my Guerilla pochade box.

Using that box, I did this quick sketch of Red Caps at Penn Station while waiting for my train. Again, I had only the three primary colors to work with. The painting is not the greatest thing ever, but not bad for a quick thing from life. I did touch it up some on the train and at home, but most of the work was done on location, in about half an hour.

Geoff Watson, “Sketch of Red Caps at Penn Station,” July daily painting #7, oil on panel, 6” x 8,” 2019.

Daily painting #49: Running at American U.

My wife Anne and her twin sister Alice celebrated their birthday on Monday, and we marked the occasion by congregating at the American University track, where they often meet to jog. I sketched them in oil as they circled the track.

“Running at American University,” June daily painting #18, oil on panel, 9” x 12,” 2019.

Daily painting #32 (football field); and a collage.

I have two things to share today. FIrst, the daily painting adventure continues into June! Today I visited Walt Whitman High School and painted its football field, which was about to be used for practice by a soccer team. A very fun subject to paint!

Geoff Watson, “Before practice,” June daily painting #1, oil on panel, 8” x 10,” 2019.

Second, I used Photoshop to put together a collage of all 31 of my daily paintings for May! Enjoy.

Geoff Watson, “Collage of all 31 May daily paintings,” oil on small panels, 2019.

Daily painting #28: Cordell Avenue

I spent the afternoon painting this pleasant view of Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland. Cityscapes are, for me, the most challenging form of plein air painting. First, you’ve got to get your perspective right. Second, it’s a drawing challenge: there are lots of machine-tooled, symmetrical objects with sharp edges and perfect corners (buildings, cars, windows), and it takes lots of concentration to draw them correctly. Third, composition is a challenge: how do you pick a focal point when there are so many interesting things to see? Fourth, there’s a ton of detail, and even if you omit 80% of it, there’s still a ton of detail. But the upside is that it’s never boring, and I never lack for company — well-wishers stop by my easel all day long.

Geoff Watson, “Cordell Avenue (study),” May daily painting #28, oil on panel, 8” x 10,” 2019.

Daily painting #7: Softball field at Norwood Park

It was a glorious day, and my back felt great, so I got outdoors for three hours of plein air painting! I think it turned out nicely. I was going for a placid, springtime feel.

Geoff Watson, “Softball field at Norwood Park,” May daily painting #7, oil on panel, 8” x 10”, 2019.

Friendship Heights Metro

The rain held off today, and I managed to get in 2-3 hours of plein air painting. I'm really out of practice, as I've been doing mostly pen-and-ink and watercolor work for the past month, since I can do those things indoors (away from all the rain!).  So I set my expectations low and resolved to do a loose urban sketch.

The painting depicts the Friendship Heights metro stop on the DC-Maryland border. I was most interested in the area on the left, and I should've zoomed the picture in more on that; I didn't spend much time at all on the right half of the painting.  I still like it.

Geoff Watson, "Friendship Heights Metro," oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

Bethesda Lane

Bethesda Lane is a lovely pedestrian mall sandwiched between two busy streets in downtown Bethesda.  Its defining feature is this graceful arch.  People come to eat at the various outdoor cafes or just to sit and relax.

Last week I did a watercolor study at this spot, and today I returned to try my luck with oils.  I had an easier time drawing the scene this time, and I was happy to get some people into the action.  Unfortunately it was rather a dreary day, and the lighting conditions weren't great.  I'd like to return one more time to try to capture more vibrant colors.  I love this spot, so I shall return! 

Geoff Watson, "Bethesda Lane," oil on panel, 16" x 20," 2018.