Perhaps I had to become a 'plein-air' painter to notice the spectacular Fall colors...because I don't think I've ever seen hues this bright in my entire life! Anything from bright greens, deep reds, glowing oranges and yellows... nature sure wore it's Sunday outfit last weekend, when I visited my mother-in-law in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Lynchburg and Charlottesville, VA. She was kind enough to put me up for a few days, so I could endulge myself in trying to record these fabulous colors while at their peek! I had to keep myself from using all my tube colors without any mixing. I was aware of the fact that if you paint these colors the way you think you 'know' them, the painting might become a bit garish. So restraint was my motto. Keeping a close eye on the correct values, I tried to bring out the bright colors by muting or greying the colors around it. It is so tempting to squeeze out cadmium reds and oranges, but I think they work better if they are reserved for the accents and highlights. Of course I did not believe my husband when he told me I would have all the scenery I needed right from his mom's doorstep, but he was absolutely right! I painted all these studies almost from the exact same spot by just turning a few degrees. How inspiring to travel and capture a different landscape for a change! Not that the lucious colors of the Eastern Shore marshes couldn't compete, but an occasional road trip to keep a 'fresh' eye and quality time with your in-laws is priceless.
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