Frustration!! May 4th Session

I started painting at 11:30 and went till about 3:30--completely 2 6X8 canvas panels.
The first panel was very frustrating and had me question why I thought I had the skills to do this. I decided to put it aside after reflection what was going wrong with it and why I was feeling so frustrating. I had sketched out the shadow and light areas with black marker on a sketch pad and a quick look at that reference verified what I had come to conclude. What I was trying to paint was to complex--too much shadow--no contrast and the color notes were all wrong. So I winged it--actually I walked down to my studio and threw it on my work table. I picked up Kevin's book, paged through it as I mumbled more frustrations to myself. There it was in plain English..."Keep it Simple!"

So I went back outside to my back garden area. I took out the second panel and placed it in the pochade box. I attacked the same garden area with new enthusiasm and told myself I will get something this time. I focused this time on where the phlox and stone wall met. A wonderful area of shadow, a very warm area of light. As soon after about an hour, I had what I considered an acceptable study.

My frustration centered on the following--and highlighted what I need to improve.
1. Mixing colors quickly and accurately.
2. Need to remember to keep it simple--it being the composition of the painting.
3. I need to keep practicing mixing color notes and asking those pesky questions. Keep the shadows in shadows--the lights in light and never the two shall meet!

So what are the questions? In the beginning of this journey, when one is learning or refreshing their skills, do you sacrifice catching the fleeting light to focus on mixing the right color notes? And if you catch the light and shadows in a simple foundation does that guide you? I do know that the first color note you put on your panel is the most important. If it is wrong--the painting will be wrong. So we'll focus on getting the first note correct. And we'll work on the focal point of the painting first--since that is where the light will change the is the most important color note to put down.

I need to remember to keep asking myself the following while I'm painting. Is that color note in shadow or light? Is that color note warmer or cooler?

Monday--May 5th--we are going to head out to Smith Park. There is a pond there and I'll be painting there. I have a meeting with the Director of the Arts Center and this will allow me to get some painting in before. I plan on concentrating on the questions above--the shadow and light--warmer and cooler and getting that first color note correct. More to come tonight on today's session! I'm actually looking forward to getting out there--even though I know it will be frustrating--I know I'll learn something today. I know when I get home and look through the books I have, something in there will make more sense because I experienced it. It's so exciting and refreshing!

Ciao,
Linda