Category Archives: Art

Ingall’s Homestead Plein Air

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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7″x14″ stretched canvas gallery edges
This weekend we had a Paint Out at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead. The weather was good, and I found a nice place in the shade. I would have liked some interesting clouds to paint but I worked with what was there. I did a synopsis of the terrain.

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6″x6″ stretched canvas gallery edges
My paint was getting thicker on my palette by the time I started this one.

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I made friends with a colt named Cinnamon, who begged for attention, tried to play with my stuff, and then she would charged around me, and settle in for a nap, each time moving closer until she was sleeping at my ankles.

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We had over 60 artists in attendance. They kept us fed and we had live music in the evening. On Sunday we had an exhibit at the new Cultural Center in De Smet, SD. Quite unusual to have a building like that in such a small town.

IPad Plein Air on the Beach

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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I’ve been on vacation. At this time, we were exploring the Keewenaw Peninsula around Lake Superior in Michigan. It would be a great opportunity for Plein Air painting, but I’m with family and we’re always on the move. I thought to squeeze it in while we were sitting on the beach, but the only option was my IPad. This would be great if not for sunlight’s glare on the screen. I used Art Set Pro on my IPad with a brush stylus. Fortunately I had colors picked for landscape on my palette. I made some revisions after I got inside. I considered it a worthwhile exercise. I’m heading home today.

Storm on the Horizon – Restart Underpainting WIP02

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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I’m on vacation a good part of July, but back at home at the moment. I went to make adjustments on my underpainting of the first version, and realized the lightly textured board was probably not going to be to my liking for this. Here is a redo of my underpainting on stretched canvas 18″x24″ I like the new composition better, I wanted more sky,a bigger storm cloud, and a lower horizon.

Watercolor of Lake Michigan

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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We’ve been enjoying the Great Lake Michigan. This is Portage Point near Onekama Michigan, portrayed in watercolor on Moleskin Watercolor Paper.

Figures from Life

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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I decided to give watercolor a try this time. I think after more practice this will be a good way to go. It was faster than usual.

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Ways to Render a Pear 007 – Watercolor on Arches Cold Press

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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Click on image to enlarge.

I tried my pear on Arches Paper. The Cold Press is one the roughest papers, and not easily damaged by excessive water. It holds onto the pigment, and is less likely to lift if that is a desired effect. Arches Papers are generally well liked. I like how solid and saturated the colors look on this paper, but the brushes don’t glide accross it as easily.
What is your favorite paper for watercolor?

Ways to Render a Pear 006 – Watercolor on Strathmore Paper

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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Click on image to enlarge

Watercolor is not my medium, but I want to know it better. Especially to have it available for sketching and Plein Air.
Watercolor with brushes on Strathmore Paper Cold Press
I will be trying more papers.

Blue Skies #1 (WIP 1)

Posted on by Tracy Bezesky

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I designed a sky that would complement the field with a group of trees that I plan to paint for this picture. I played with positive and negative space until I was satisfied with the composition.
6×8″ stretched canvas with gallery edges.