Well, I didn’t really get any painting done on my plein air camping trip. I did some sketches and one little watercolor study, but that was it. Kind of a bummer, but my own focus is to blame. The trip was incredibly inspiring though and totally worth it.

I went out to Brentwood today to do laundry while Kimi was at work. After lunch I went exploring and found the Contra Loma park in Antioch. The lighting was incredibly boring and flat (in regards to distant hills etc). It made it much harder to try and show depth and form. I exaggerated what I was seeing, while also trying to stay true to the lighting.

The second painting was a study of some trees on the otherside of the reservoir. I was in the shade this time around which was nice, my arms got rather burnt during the first painting. I need to add sunscreen to my plein air kit.

Contra Loma Reservoir 01
Oil on canvas panel
6×8

Contra Loma Reservoir 02
Oil on canvas panel
6×8