Tuesday Morning at the Ramirez Market

"Entrada, Ramirez Market"

9x12 in. oil on panel

I did this Tuesday morning but just added the people today from memory. I always plan to jot in some folks on location but I almost never get around to it. I spent the whole morning trying to "set the scene" for the people. This time I thought I had it just the way I wanted but it was long past early morning when I started it and I was pretty exhausted. So I left the figures for today and actually very much enjoyed dropping them into the scene. I like the final result a lot - those barrels really are that bright "pea green". It was a great morning at the market with almost perfect weather for painting. We'll have to go back and do it again soon.

Plaza Reforma, Guanajuato

"Plaza Reforma"

12x16 ins. oil on panel
(you can refer to the March 1st entry to see how this one looked the first day)

This one was started on Thursday during our workshop outing to the city of Guanajuato. I didn't get a lot done that first go because I spent much of the morning driving around and around the underground roadway system of this fair city. I had planned to park the car in the lot we always park in but to my great surprise they had torn the street up and I had no choice but to go underground. I wouldn't say I was exactly "panicked" but It took me half the morning to figure a way out of that pickle.I finally arrived in the plaza to find most hadn't chosen their subject yet anyway.

There were lots of people coming and going  but I decided the scene had enough in it without the introduction of Homo Sapiens. I would however, like to know who it is that lurks behind those fancy windows on the second floor. I simplified the display of potted plants and bird cages to a considerable degree and still ................. I'm sure you get the idea. Elena (not visible low and hidden behind the hedge on the right) zoomed in and did a beautiful study of those windows and their ornamentation. There are a million scenes to paint in Guanajuato and we plan to devote a week to the project when Donna's classes slow up a bit. We usually go to the beach in April to relax but this time we'll tour the country and paint - can't wait!

And I just remembered that I worked on this one too last week but forgot to take it's photo. So, here it is. I added a few figures and did a little touch up work here and there. This one was also posted in it's raw form March 1st.
 

 "Church Yard"  9x12 in. oil on panel

Fountain in the Park

"Fountain in the Park"

9x12 in. oil on panel

I demoed this for one of the students last week on an optional painting afternoon in the Jardin Principal. It was a lot rougher originally so I worked it over some today. I thought it deserved more careful consideration and now I'm pretty happy with it. I kind of wish it was much bigger and I would people it but for a small painting I had better let it go. Even so, I don't think I'm going to achieve the 112 finished paintings quota again this month .................................or any time soon and yes, you're right -I'm not even going to try.

Morning Shoeshine

"Morning Shoeshine"

10"x10" oil on panel

We went out with the Monday Plein Air Group this morning and settled on the north west corner of the Jardin Principal. I knew the shoe shine guy would appear at some point so I parked near where he works and started setting the scene for his arrival. He came but didn't have a single customer for the first hour or so. I was expecting some cowboy to arrive and was waiting impatiently for him when of a sudden this young kid in a yellow shirt climbs up on the shoeshine chair! Well, no cowboy hat to paint today, I thought ........but interesting nonetheless - so I squeezed out a fresh yellow gob of paint and went to work. I didn't quite resolve all the figures in the background but I decided to leave it as is - nice and fresh. 

 

And below:  John and I painting this morning on the northwest corner of the Jardin - centro San Miguel. I'm surprised there aren't a lot of onlookers in this photo that Donna took because every time I looked around there were at least 3 people watching intently and lots of people coming and going up and down the steps. The lady that takes your blood pressure sat down beside me for about an hour and managed to haul in a few customers from her perch on the jardin wall. She and her clients were very nice and smiley - she suggested we paint over in the city of Guanajuato some time as it's muy bonito. It was a great morning. The temperature was just right and lots of shade from the laurels to keep us out of that strong Mexican sun.

February Workshop Notes

The Workshop Attendees

Back: Tom Otro, Elena, Donna, Suzi, Heather, Patty, Jacky, Tom D.

Front: Agneta, Mimi, Yvonne, Sandy, Joel

We had another great group this year! We had a good time, perfect warm weather and some even swear they learned something. We covered Color and Perspective on the first day and then put it all to practice during the week. We did a trip to nearby Guanajuato on Thursday which everyone seemed to enjoy. Some have suggested doing a week there next year -we just may do that!

All my paintings below are unfinished - done in about 2 hours for demonstration purposes.

I think I'll work on some of them in the coming week and post again when done.

 9x12 in. Jardin fountain scene

 

9x12 in. Churchyard demo

 12x16 in. Group Demo. at the "Parroquia" church

12 x16 in. Plaza Reforma, demo Guanajuato