Hidden Trail

I wish I knew the names of these trees in Mexico - they bloom yellow and were rather short, or else like tall bushes. The long dry grass had a very grey look to it. I liked the little pathway that snaked through to the ranch. I have gone in with quite thick paint for the grass - might be too heavy but I am experimenting with thick and thin paint right now.

Yesterday's Cups

Yesterday, Mary and I painted these cups. I completed and then wiped off the first go. Mary gave me a piece of unprimed birch plywood to paint on, to experiment with the underlying wood grain and colour that comes through. It is different and would be interesting for landscape. This is what the Group of Seven, specifically forerunner Tom Thomson often used.

Tool Bouquet

Another one that I painted together with Mary. We had an interesting thing going - one of us painted the scene warmer, the other one cooler than what was actually there.

Snowdrops

After San Miguel, I have finally painted again, today with Mary - snowdrops from her garden, a true first sign of spring. It has been too chilly to paint outdoors yet, in my reality, and especially after Mexico!

Courtyard

Today I had a moment to paint again, trying out some of the things that Frank did when he painted things in shade. It was done quickly, before I cleaned up the easel and palette for travelling home. Once home, I will put all of the learning to good use.

Final Day of Workshop

This morning Frank reviewed his demos and showed us how he makes adjustments and finishes them. A lot of interesting topics were shared, and a lot of information gained. In the afternoon we all painted together in a small area, but we had 360 degrees of vista to choose from. I am pleased with mine, and major pleased with what I learned and practised on this workshop. I now am starting to work with one value relevant to the next. I have heard this, understood it, but couldn't quite do it before...this has shifted. It has been an amazing workshop, Frank is a phenomenal teacher and I look forward to returning.

Thursday

This morning we painted, and in the afternoon Frank demonstrated. I am quite happy with my painting - just wish I would have taken a bigger canvas. It might not be the best photograph - there is a little glare. This whole week I have only used three primaries and white - ultramarine, cadmium red and lemon yellow - and it has been great. Frank is an excellent teacher - patient, wise and clear....with a good sense of humour. His demonstrations have been excellent teaching tools - today he painted the same cactus but from the other side. It was fabulous to see how he approached the same subject...his composition, his colour mixing, his start and block-in, and then the evolving steps (top photo).

Mid week

Today Frank set us out on our own, to paint whatever and wherever we want, then to come back for critiquing. He wanted us to work through our obstacles and our vision, and that he critiques without seeing the scene that we are working from.
We are having formidable mexican lunchs.
In the afternoon, we chose a design and painted while Frank came around to assist. It was very windy again today, and warm, so I made a shady spot my priority. The larger painting is not quite finished and was from the afternoon.

Second Day at the Workshop

Frank did a wonderful demonstration this morning. The block in exercise of yesterday was expanded to deeper attention to values. There was a white carriage standing in shade, and he started on a canvas primed with leftover mud from his palette, then drew in the basic shapes and started with the lighest value to key the painting. Frank said to not stare at anything for too long because it will expand, change colour, move forward....

We painted in the afternoon - I am not finished with mine yet....will postone later.

The house at the horse ranch where we eat lunch and keep our supplies.

Evening sun from Los Frailes.

First Day of the Frank Gardner Workshop

Today was the first day of the painting workshop. We were at a ranch about 15 minutes from San Miguel. Weather was a bit overcast and windy in the morning. Our group consists of 8 painters. Frank started with a demo about blocking in to get the values right. We then did three value studies - just flat shapes.

Second Day in San Miguel

My cousin Marina Desiree's house in Los Frailes area by San Miguel, the garden in the Bellas Artes and a street scene. It has been a busy day meeting friends and being around town.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Mexico

Arrived last night in San Miguel - it is warm, the scent of flowers was in the air, crickets were chirping, the stars were out, and we quickly went into the town centre just to see the town square with the beautiful lit up La Parroquia church. Mariachis were playing and it was like entering into another world. I start a plein air workshop with Frank Gardner on Monday for five days.