Another Painting Day

An enjoyable day at painting even though several of our convivial group were missing leaving us with the original duo. 

Before I post any photos of today's work, I have to enter a caveat:  I didn't have my glasses, and the spare pair I had in my painting bag were somewhere else but not with me!!!  Well, I said to myself, I may finally be able to paint in a truly impressionistic style.  Certainly I won't be able to spend too much time on itty-bitty details.

Anyway, this first photo is a pencil study I did at home complete with some possible paint colors written in.  It's a good thing I did that sketch before class because while I couldn't really see it, I did remember it.  Could I see the color notes?  well, some of them, but the list of possible paint combinations? no, not at all.  Anyway, on to the work:

From that - admittedly hard to see - beginning, here's what I did today with paints.  I have to say that now - with my glasses on - it looks very different.  Now I see quite clearly the effect of painting on the wrong side of watercolor paper. (when doing the first studies I the backs of other studies).  The paint doesn't flow properly, and it looks grainy (look at the sky).  Then there's the problem of the lack keen vision evident in the misplaced reflection of the sun. 

And just in case you were wondering how I could do this without my specs, I was lucky.  The first and second study were done on one sheet of paper so I didn't have to look back and forth from page to page.  Also, if I had difficulty figuring out something, all I had to do was glance down to the sketch to remember what I had done.

Ah well, my glasses were safe at home and whether that will give me an advantage or not remains to be seen.