MIDLAND OUTDOOR PAINTERS




Midland Outdoor Painters (MOP) is an informal group of artists who come together to paint "en plein air" and to offer support and get helpful criticism of their work. This blog has been set up to inform participants in Midland Outdoor Painters of recent activities on a weekly basis. The group meets every Saturday, rain or shine from 9AM to about 11AM. You are welcome to join us with any medium; sketchbook, oils, pastels, watercolor, pen and ink, or just to watch. ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME. The painting location will be posted here every preceding Thursday by the "location master", a position currently held by Priscilla Olson. She will also email the location to those who choose to be on the MOP mailing list. If anyone has ideas for other places they'd like to paint on future Saturdays, please let Priscilla know by the Wednesday night prior. To be added to the list, enter your email where it says "Follow by Email" or, if you have questions, contact Priscilla at artofpriscilla@att.net

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, Aug. 3

We'll meet at Marjorie Kruger's again this time.  The fields and trees will look quite different by this time of the year!  Her address is 12720 Sarle.  She has said it's okay to set up anywhere along the road there.  The neighbors are okay with it.


Monday, July 29, 2013

MOP-UPdate, Saturday, July 27

What started out chilly and overcast slowly turned into a misty bright warm day!  Imagine that!  It's a nice "reward" for setting forth in spite of the weather of the moment!
 
We chose a view of the M-20 overpass from Chippewassee Park
Donna and Vicki enjoying the challenge.
Many visitors to the park were curious about what we were doing.
Vicki is putting in the darks under the overpass.
Donna's working on the trees.
Priscilla thought she was close to finished...

...until she added the sky colors.  Many adjustments to make before calling it done!

Friday, July 26, 2013

MOP LOCATION: Saturday, July 27

This Saturday we will be painting at Chippewassee Park, just over the Tridge from the Farmer's Market.  There is several good views of the Tridge from the river, and shelter if it rains.  See you there!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, July 20


It was very quiet at the Wetlands this Saturday.  For the first hour, Vicki was the only one there:
I picked a simple motive:  just a tree lit along one edge by the morning light.  Bachelor Buttons in bloom gave a purple hint to the distant meadow.  This coloration doesn't show up well in the photo.

I set up and got going.  As I painted, more of the right hand side of the tree became lighted.


I think I will darken the RH edge in the final painting to recapture some of the original lighting.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

MOP LOCATION: Saturday July 20

We'll be meeting again at the wetlands. For directions, see the post for July 11.  It will be partly cloudy with 20 percent chance of rain.  And only 86 degrees!  Cool!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, July 13


A steamy, beautiful, quiet morning at the CNC Wetlands.


Priscilla started with a view far across the pond.
She place the horizon low in the picture so she would have room to paint some interesting cloud formations.

Vicki chose a similar view but placed her horizon line much higher...
...so she could show more of the pond and foerground.
After 1.5 hours or so, Priscilla moved her easel and challenged herself to complete a small painting in half an hour.  A good exercise in painting loosely and quickly!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

MOP LOCATION: Saturday July 13

We will meet at the CNC Wetlands western parking lot.  It may be "partly cloudy" this Saturday morning. It could be that there will be interesting sky over the Wetlands.  The Wetlands are located off of Badour Rd. Take the normal route to the Chippewa Nature Center from Midland, only when you get to Badour Rd., turn left, not right.
Parking for the Wetlands is on the left just a short way down the road.  See you there!





Monday, July 8, 2013

MOP-UPdate; Saturday, July 6

It was a steamy hot morning and no shade in sight.  Once we began painting, though, not much else mattered, but only for a while!

Priscilla is reworking a painting she started one morning a few weeks ago.

Just barely staying out of the sun!

Vick is using her extra big umbrella today.

She is starting to block in her composition with the darkest darks.

Donna found a shady spot...

...and completed a beautifully composed painting on the spot!




Thursday, July 4, 2013

MOP LOCATION: Saturday July 6

We'll go out to Averill Nature Preserve along the Rail Trail.  See the map below.  Lots to paint, plus convenient parking.






Tuesday, July 2, 2013

MOP-UPdate: Saturday, June 29

A little gray and moist today but, hey, oil and water don't mix!  Donna and Priscilla spent a good 2.5 hours painting in and out of the light rain, to no ill effect.

Donna chose the piggies.
It can be hard to get a good view from the other side of the fence!
Priscilla chose the chickens...
...then went back to the pigs!