Plein Arizona, Part 1

This summer brought the promise of painting out-of-doors, and as it happens, the city this June, July, and the first half of August has been particularly amenable to the practice: consecutive days without the threat of rain, with moderate temperatures and gentle breezes.

Working at Coffee Pot Rock.

Unfortunately, my schedule has not permitted my time to indulge my interest in painting en plain air. So instead, I am posting a series of oil sketches on panel Helen and I painted several years ago in sunny Sedona, Arizona, during the mild winter and spring seasons.

We stayed in the residential area just south of Coffee Pot Rock, a dramatic burnt red-orange rock formation strikingly similar in shape to a traditional cast iron coffee pot. During our two trips there, courtesy of two generous friends who owned a charming home in the above mentioned neighborhood, we had an opportunity to paint at various spots along the lovely hiking trails, with their dramatic views of the colorful, sun-drenched landscapes. While nothing can compare to being their and hiking the paths in person, perhaps these photos of our sketches will inspire you to consider a visit.

I painted Coffee Pot Rock twice, on two separate days. Here are the progressive images from the second sketch. I worked on heavy illustration board, either Bainbridge or Strathmore, over which a coat of rabbit skin glue (into which was sprinkled some powdered umber) was applied. No additional ground was necessary, as the glue size over paper provides an excellent surface to which the oil will adhere.

The panel, toned with glue and pigment, with penciled outlines.

Patches of oil color applied to the panel.

More foreground and some background added, no blending yet.

Blending the wet paint to 'sculpt' the forms.

The finished work on location.

Completed Coffee Pot Rock 2 sketch completed.

Coffee Pot Rock 1 sketch, painted a few days earlier. This first attempt lacks the
steeper perspective of the second version, though it includes a bit more surface detail.