This distant barn couldn't be overlooked. The morning light cut a lovely path across the pasture and on to the barn's entrance. A small panel (5x7) was used, so quick work was made of this study, freeing me to move to another location. A finished painting is not the goal in plein air painting, but rather a field study. Enough information is hopefully gathered for the artist to return to the studio and possibly paint a similar image, possibly larger, more finished. Plein air painting forces the artist to work fast, arranging a composition with the color values that are present in "real life." Claude Monet was one of several well known artists who routinely practiced this technique, so much that he financed the construction of gardens at his home, so he could paint on location. His famous water lily series is proof of the impact of this technique. I'm certainly not in the caliber with Claude Monet, but I am definitely hooked and understand why he enjoyed it. I may not go home with a masterpiece, but I always have a blast trying.
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