Painting in the studio from a plein air study

After painting Watson Lake in oil en plein air, I wanted to try painting it in the studio, using the plein air as a guide, and do a larger painting.  This is 14 x 18 on a stretched canvas.  I haven't painted on a surface like this in a very, very long time.  Painting large was different too.  I  had to allow more time and mix bigger piles of paint and use bigger brushes.  I only worked on it two days.  I now realize I was using my plein air Alkyd medium.  I don't have a regular medium right now.  So, it dried overnight.  So, it was a little different.  But, it was fun, and I'll do it again.

How to hike back to your car with wet oil paintings you did in the field

Someone asked this question today and it is so good, I went out and took pictures of the carrier I use and will talk about it and two other methods.

I use Panel Pak.  I paint on boards (panels about 1/8" thick) in 8 x 10 and 9 x 12.  I also like to paint in 6 x 6 and occasionally a panarama 8 x 16.  PanelPak offers pre-made popular frame sizes.  They will make up a special size for an additional cost - like my 6x6 and 8x16 sizes.  I use them constantly.  You can either put one of their false panels on one side and only bring one panel for painting on - OR - bring two panels and have them both face inward - so you can carry two wet paintings.  The panels do not touch each other, and you rubberband them together.  The panels fit snugly in the wooden frame and slide right into your backpack.  The picture below shows how the rubberbands go around the complete package.

Some of my friends use RayMar Wet Panel Carriers:

These light-weight carriers have slots for putting multiple panels in, and comes with a shoulder strap for carrying.  They come in different sizes.

Some people use a small pizza box and use push-pins to secure the corners of a painting inside.  This might work for walking short distances, but would not work for hiking because you would have to have to carry it by hand and carry it level so the painting doesn't flop onto the inside of the lid of the box.

There are other small wet panel carriers out on the market, but they are usually made of wood and can be heavy and take up a lot of room.  The first two methods above are the best I have heard of so far.

Summertime Paint-Outs - Staying Cool!

"Connie's Garden"  12 x 9 pastel

Today I went with a painting friend to our local arboretum and we found a cool shady spot and enjoyed painting the flowers.  The employed gardener (or was she a volunteer?) was happy I was painting an area she planted this year.  So I named it after her!

"Summer Cove Escape" 10 x 8 oil

Yesterday I hiked down a path to a quiet cove beach with a painting friend, Monika, and we painted and then dipped in the cool waters of Lake Tahoe.  What a great day!

"Summertime at the Lake"

Before I met up with my friend, I was close to Sand Harbor.  I took a painting I had done previously and did more work on it at the exact same spot.  I like it better now.