Train Depot Plein Air

Old Cordova Train Depot  

8 x 10

plein air version

For today's post, I am showing another painting with two versions. Sometimes when painting plein air, things just don't work out as you plan! 

I loved the yellow color of this abandoned train depot and wanted to capture it. Plus I like any building with vines growing on it, so I couldn't resist this one! I stood out with my painting buddy and painted the first version. Although I thought I was well on my way to a good painting when I was out there, things did not look as good to me when I got back in the studio with it and out of the hot sun! I saw that my drawing was off, and just probably could not be fixed easily. 

So, a couple of days later, I took what I learned and liked and did not like about the first version (second photo above) and painted it again in the studio. I had also taken some written notes about the light and shadows on my sketch pad when I did my thumbnail sketch that helped me in recreating the "moment" inside the studio. And, I also had the photograph that I took when I began painting so I could get the light on the building just as it was when I started painting. All of these things act as "tools" for me and help tremendously. I think the changes I made using these tools made the second version work better and I was pleased with it. 

Although I did the painting in the same size as the outdoor version (and did not enlarge like yesterday's post), I still was able to use what I learned when outside to create a painting I was happier with and felt captured the building as I saw it. Hope this helps some of you to remember not all "failure" paintings are worthless!