Plein Air in Hawaii

Looking at artwork done by other artists is always a good learning experience, especially when you are seeing artwork done from life, from people who really know what they are painting. I check out website from groups all over the country, luckily these guys from Hawaii contacted me and that is how I heard about them. When you are planning to travel to paint in an area that you are not at all familiar with it really helps to study artists local to that land, you are not going to paint how they paint. What is shows you is their version of what they know well. Many artist purposely do not do this so not to be influenced by those artists, but I have seen too many artists who travel to Arizona who obviously did not do their homework and it shows in their work. How many paintings have you seen where the cactus are perfectly straight like telephone poles, with only two arms- or the colors are the same palette that would be used in that artists home state- Wisconsin green. I know that the well seasoned artist probably has enough control of himself to paint the colors he sees, that's what makes him a master. But, until that time comes for me, I will continue to study the location I will be painting. Using my watercolor journal has helped me, I mix up the colors of leaves, soil, sky, the colors of the land in front of you. Push out what you are used to automatically putting down on the palette and paint what is there. I truly
hope to never again see a lime green desert painting----- So, check out the websites and the artwork of fellow artists who paint in lands far different from your own. Like Hawaii- If you have a trip coming up there check out any shows that might be going on, or a paint-out you could attend. Contact the group for information. Artist are generally a friendly, sharing bunch, with the few crabby exceptions. www.pleinairpaintersofhawaii.com