I guess I’m an optimist, because once again I believed the weather man when “clear skys” was forecast for Carmel. It ended up being mostly cloudy, but I did find a nice spot at Garrapata State Park, just south of Point Lobos. I painted this 11×14 first. Once the clouds came in, I painted the second painting (6×8).

Bluffs at Garrapata State Beach

Bluffs at Garrapata – Oil on Linen – 11×14

I think it’s worth showing my palette for the painting above, as you can see how I organize colors, grays and strings of value.

Palette

Here’s the quick 6×8 sketch I did, using left-over paint. The sun had changed too much to continue the painting above. Don’t try and follow the sun or paint a sunny painting on a cloudy day. Just won’t work.

Garrapata State Park - Gray Day

Garrapata State Park (Gray Day) – Oil on Linen – 6×8″

3 thoughts on “Carmel Bluffs

  1. I can empathize with you about the weather unpredictability, but it’s actually one of the things I love about plein air painting. I like racing the sun and weather. It seems to capture a certain sense of excitement in the work, don’t you agree? Great job on this one! I love your color handling and use of values to make the painting work. Well done.
    – Tom Brown
    tombrownfineart.blogspot.com

  2. Hey Tom, yes, definitely agree. Today, I quickly finished a painting because I could see the fog rolling in. Keeps things loose, which is where I’m trying to focus right now. Thanks for your comment, I really like your work.

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