Working on a tan and painting at the same time is no easy feat -- not only are you blinded by the sun but you're usually not getting the best view at the best time of day. Yet I was determined to get some sun during my visit to the US. This year there was a further problem: a new breed of mosquitoes that attack in broad daylight (also extremely abundant and potential carrier of West Nile Virus). So I learned to apply "Deep Woods", set up anti-bug candles, and combine this with various degrees of sun block.
"August in Yardley" (Delaware River in the distance)
23x30cm, oil on canvas
"August in Yardley" (Delaware River in the distance)
23x30cm, oil on canvas
I also tried putting together an extremely lightweight oil sketching kit that I could carry around effortlessly. Since I rarely have more than an hour or two to paint, this could be a solution for me because, while sketching is fun, I really miss oil painting. I tried it out on the canal in Yardley and when I was almost ready to go home, a man came by to fish -- providing the perfect final touch!
"The Canal"
20x20 cm, oil on canvas
Technical note (to myself): Squeeze out some paint in small plastic box before going out / bring small tubes of extra paint (in plastic sandwich bag), a few brushes, a rag, a newspaper, turpentine, a small canvas, all in a lightweight backpack / apply mosquito repellent / take bike and find a bench with a view / lean the canvas against the backpack (easels are too heavy) and apply paint quickly but stay concentrated. For the trip home, place the small canvas in the bottom of a grocery bag (paper bag inside and plastic bag outside) face up - this works as a makeshift lightweight wet canvas carrier (and can be attached to the handlebar of the bike).
Link to photo of my plastic box (leave the wooden box at home - too heavy): plastic box
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