oil 9x12 inches
magnify/purchase All the apples are in and the cider mill is cranking away. I could smell the juice as I painted this at Snowline Orchard yesterday. Then I bought some Pink Lady apples and hot mini donuts. Yum. after a break I headed down to The Pumpkin Patch on Live Oak Canyon road to paint pumpkins.
Here's my subject and my easel. You can see my subject is not directly beyond my easel. I'll share this very practical tip I learned from Kim English: To get your panel in the shade, hold your hand up in front of you vertically. Turn your hand until it is in shade. That's the way to place your easel. Why didn't I think of that? Duh. Sometimes it means your subject is way off to one side from you, which it was in this case. At first I thought that might feel awkward, turning my head so much, but really once I start painting I don't even notice. Easier on the eyes, and better for getting values right.
