Letting go – Plein air diaries #6

It’s a conundrum.

On the one hand, we want to make good work. We want to make our best work.

On the other, getting too hung up on making a finished painting can leave us too tense to do it well.

At least, it can for me.

Does that feel familiar?

Determined not to fall into that trap (again) today, I resolved to:

• work small
• use a lot of paint
• make a sketch of a part of a scene, something simpler (instead of attempting a wide view)

Because I’ve noticed that after beginning my plein air adventures with just little sketches that I LOVED doing, I’ve increasingly been tending towards attempting to make a finished painting every time I go out.

So today, just these beech trees.

Strong sun, although it was cold. The light on the leaves was very beautiful.

I made a start.

A woman came up and wanted to show me photos she’d taken of her dog. It was a sweet dog. I liked her, but I desperately wanted her to go away.

I tried to let go.

The sun went behind the clouds.

I stood around for a bit and eventually the sun came back out again.

I tried not to have any expectations of this little painting.

It was not easy.

But eventually, I did get into the moment and the process of making colours and trying to find interesting ways of putting them down. Two hours went quickly.

I have a feeling that letting go of expectations is a skill that can be learned and stretched.

And that it’s one I’m going to need if, paradoxically, I’m going to have a chance of doing decent work.

Or maybe even, if I’m lucky, my best work.

How about you?

Best wishes,

Paul