Discovering An Extraordinary
Life
by Stefan Baumann
Last year I started “Painting Boot Camp.”
It was a three-day intensive workshop where I led a group
of passionate students into the Sierra wilderness for
extreme individualized training in the fundamentals of
painting outdoors. The experience was life changing. By
popular demand we are going back this June.
Painting on location allows me to be loose and spontaneous.
The artwork is full of serendipitous brushstrokes and
completely inspired, often I don’t have control
over the outcome. I’ve always let the paint do the
work. Excellent paintings created outdoors can never be
duplicated. You can’t achieve perfection so give
up, and have a good time instead.
When
I paint outdoors I go for the big picture. My latest in
the Secrets Vistas of Yosemite Series
is Heir Apparent. The buck stands like
a king evaluating his domain. The panorama around him
is Yosemite Valley with Half Dome looming in the background.
I hiked miles to get to this scene.
When you work outdoors please keep these basic concepts
in mind:
1. The local color of the object
2. The color of outdoor light
3. The color of the atmosphere itself
4. The effect of neighboring colors
On a clear day, the subject is influenced by two sources
of light: the warm sunlight and cool sky. Many artists
forget to reflect cold colors on rocks and trees. When
painting sunsets remember that warm highlights cast cool
shadows and cool highlights cast warm shadows.
Ponder this: it’s not the subject itself, but what
you feel about the subject. Paint your feelings and you’ll
never be trapped into formulas. By following this principle,
you can make anything interesting. If you’re bold
and outgoing your work will show it. If you’re small-minded
and grasping, your work will reflect that, too.
So be adventurous, use lots of paint, get interested
in what you see, recognize big relationships, and dive
in. Avoid being choosy when selecting a subject and don’t
be afraid.
Take chances when you live, love or paint, and you’ll
have an extraordinary life!
If you’re interested in the “Painting Boot
Camp,” please click here.
Space is limited so sign up today to reserve your spot.
