Paintings of France, Italy and Beyond

Plein air on the James River

7 07 2008

After a summer break (of sorts) I’m getting back to a more regular painting schedule this week. To kick it off, I’ll share a little plein air painting I did last Thursday at James River. I painted this at the foot of the Lee Bridge, near the entrance to Belle Isle section of the James River Park System in my town, Richmond, VA.

“Rambling River”
Oil on Multimedia ArtBoard, 6×12″
Click here for more info.

It was really a beautiful evening last Thursday, but it was also incredibly windy. I had packed my lighter plein air painting setup with the intention of backpacking it across the footbridge over to Belle Isle to do some afternoon painting. But from past experience, I was afraid that the wind would have blown my nifty little lightweight pochade setup completely away. So I decided to save myself the aggravation and instead went back to my studio to get my sturdier Soltek. Whatever problems I’ve had with this easel, it stands up great against the wind. But just to be safe, I returned to set up near a bank of trees on the “mainland”, giving me a little bit more shelter.

All of this meant that I got started later, but as it turned out, the timing was just right–The light was just beautiful and turned the river rocks a beautiful rosy gold . Dinner could wait (apologies to the D.H.!)

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Date : 7 July 2008
Categories : The artist's life, Art supplies, Southern Landscapes, Art of the American South, Plein Air Painting

6 responses to “Plein air on the James River”

8 07 2008: Rick Nilson (17:55:29) :

I like the way you use the water to define the trunks. This makes me want to paint some trees. oaks. twisted.
9 07 2008: jennifereyoung (08:36:44) :

Thanks Rick,
I am liking this subject matter and will definitely head over to Belle Isle to paint the river from there, as soon as the rain lets up. I’m into trees these days. And yes, if you paint the negative shapes around the trunks and branches, the trunks and branches emerge–kind of like sculpture!
9 07 2008: marilyn m king (17:40:09) :

This is my favorite painting of your’s so far. The light on the rocks and the peachy sky really capture the time of day and your handling of the water superb. I’d buy it if I could! I can tell some difference ( improvements) in your work from and since your recent trip to France. I think this plein air work is your cup of tea!!!!!!!
10 07 2008: jennifereyoung (08:05:29) :

Thanks for the lovely compliments Marilyn. While I’ll continue my work in the studio, I love plein air painting, and my goal is to put a larger focus on this and make it a much more regular practice. Regardless of the success or failure of the individual plein air paintings, my work as a whole always seems to take a leap forward when I do.
11 07 2008: Molly Young (23:49:44) :

Jennifer, I love this piece! The lighting IS great, and I love how simply you painted the background.
15 07 2008: jennifereyoung (18:40:46) :

Molly, a belated thanks to you! Yes, that’s one thing that plein air painting is teaching me- to simplify. That’s not to say that I always listen, but it’s something I’m trying to pay attention to more and more.