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Painting

First Touches of Fall | Plein air painting at the Minnesota River Valley

October 22, 2009

One of the great aspects of living in Minnesota is the drama of all four seasons.   It seems like seasons happen all at once here. It’s suddenly spring, or it’s suddenly winter. But in reality, when you finally take a moment to stop and look around, change happens very gradually, over a period of time. We [...]

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Mississippi River Reflection | plein air painting on the colorful side of the river

Thumbnail image for Mississippi River Reflection | plein air painting on the colorful side of the river October 3, 2009

I have been doing a lot of painting set up on the banks of rivers in the last few months.  I have noticed in my own paintings that some days the colors reflected in the water are quite intense. More saturated.   Other days, the reflections are a bit more washed out.  Still beautiful. Still a [...]

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Mississippi River Rocks in Full Sun | plein air painting to last the whole winter

September 19, 2009

You know how you sometimes stop and think to yourself, “I’m going to have to remember this feeling?” I had one of those moments while I was out painting last Sunday.
I was down on the Saint Paul bank of the Mississippi River with my mother for another plein air painting outing.  The sky was blue [...]

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Sunflowers in the Garden | plein air painting in the University’s garden

Sunflowers in the Garden, oil on panel, by Jeffrey Smith September 12, 2009

Sunflowers in the Garden, 8×10″, oil on panel by Jeffrey Smith

Some subjects are just worth revisiting.
My Mother and  I took another painting trip back to our new favorite spot, the University of Minnesota Display and Trial Gardens.  I drive by the gardens on my way home from work some days, and I noticed that the sunflowers were [...]

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Mississippi River Reflections | plein air painting on the St. Paul shore

September 1, 2009

Just a quick post to announce a new painting;  I’ve been working on upgrading my website.  I am finding out all I don’t know about web design and site development.  I suppose that I am learning a lot, but I’m taking a somewhat frustrating road to get there.
The above painting was done on a beautiful [...]

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St. Croix River | outdoor painting just like the picture in the catalog.

St. Croix River, by Jeffrey Smith August 27, 2009

St. Croix River, 8×10″, oil on panel by Jeffrey Smith

 
When I was a kid, maybe around 15 years old  (not a little kid mind you,  but certainly younger than I am now),  I received a catalog of plein air painting gear.  One of the pictures in that catalog was of an outdoor painter set up with his [...]

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Mud Puddles | plein air painting after the rain

August 19, 2009

There is nothing better than a clear morning after a big rain storm.  I guess that’s not entirely true. I suppose there are better things, but a great morning is certainly right up there.

Last  Sunday I made my way back over to the Trial and Display Gardens on the grounds of the University of Minnesota.  [...]

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Pine Trees and the Golden Hour | plein air sketch to studio landscape painting

Pine Trees, the Golden Hour, 16x20 August 9, 2009

Pine Trees, the Golden Hour, 16×20″, pastel on panel by Jeffrey Smith

I have noticed a lot of blog posts about the golden hour or magic hour in plein air painting.   I think the best, and the one with a great little tool that will tell you when the golden hour is in your part [...]

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Cloudy Day on the Mississippi River | plein air painting on the river’s edge

Cloudy Day on the Mississippi River, 8x10, by Jeffrey Smith August 3, 2009

It was a great day for plein air painting in St. Paul… at least it ended up as a great day for plein air painting in St.Paul.
I made my way to the park this morning, and with view finder in hand, began looking for inspiration and the next subject to paint.  I set up my pochade box [...]

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Plein Air Plan | 5 tips for better outdoor painting

June 27, 2009

I just finished a fantastic plein air painting workshop sponsored by The Atelier here in Minneapolis. The workshop was taught by plein air artist, Brian Stewart.   Go ahead.   Click on over to his site and take a look at his work; I can wait.  Welcome back.
I made a conscious effort that I was going to [...]

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