Mike Major's blog/daily paintings: Morning and Afternoon

Monday, September 21, 2015

Morning and Afternoon

I packed up and headed down to Hiesler Park to paint. I intended to try and get two paintings done.

I picked a location where I could paint two different paintings without having to move.

I picked the view south to paint first because the view to the north would be better at sunset.

I worked to finish the rocks first because of the lighting.

I had started around 11 am and was finishing up around 2:30. I had several people inquire about purchasing the painting throughout the day. A woman asked the price and then had to run some errands and came back to buy it but I had already sold it to a couple

The woman called "dibs" on the next painting I was going to do. The pressure was on. I had really liked the first painting and felt like I had to out do that painting.

As soon as I handed off the first painting, put some money in the meter, turned my easel, and washed my hands, I dug into the second of the day.

By the time I had finished the sun had swung around to backlight my subject. I ended up starting into the sun the entire time I was painting. I am glad that I wear polarized sunglasses while painting. It really cuts down on the wear and tear.

The finished painting 36"X 24".

The value shot.

The detail shot.

Painting this view really helped me beat the clock. I have painted this more than I have painted anything else.

I was already warmed up, I was using the same color board as the first painting, and I knew what I had to do.

My customer checked in on me and asked how long it would be until I was finished. I told her twenty minutes. When she came back twenty minutes later I wasn't quite ready.

While I was painting and my customer was waiting, I could feel the pressure building to finish.

I really liked the way the setting sun came through in my painting. I put the finishing touches on it, collected my fee, and headed to the car. It was really nice not having to carry two paintings back to the car. Carrying the paintings is always the worst part of the day. This was the first time I had sold two paintings in one day. I am not going to lie it was awesome.