Quick study vs. sustained study:  This is the other successful plein air quick study that I felt had merit.  Working for just a few hours and not laboring on details.  Again, the idea of a plein air study is to quickly surmise the landscape elements throught the gesture, capture a sense of light and form, work through the composition trying different configurations and then walk away from it.  Leave it alone.  I sometimes have a very hard time doing this and the energy of the mark and the freshness of the paint become labored and the whole idea of a quick study is lost.  That is not to say that one can not work on a painting on consecutive days of the same weather condition and continually pull out other elements and refine the work.  I also do this kind of painting but the "quick study" should be just that.  

A plein air study is very different from working on a painting on consecutive days.  I do both.  In the case of the two paintings done recently in Giverny from my hotel Le Calendal.  Because I was also teaching and helping the participants I did not actually have extra time to work on these two paintings.  Upon inspection of the works I am really glad that I didn't have any more time because they feel very fresh and unlabored.  I will take these two paintings and make two more that will incorporate a little more information and refinement but I will keep the "freshness of the mark and spontaneous response" that I think are evident in these two pieces.

Just got back from a whirlwind painting tour of France.  I taught a Plein air Painting Workshop in Paris/Giverny/Provence.  Nothing could prepare me for the amazing sights and sounds of this magnificent country.  The first four days lapping up the Paris culture and trying to absorb the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay and L'Orangerie.  Just overwhelmed by the immensity of the collections.  To paint in Giverny in the late afternoon early evening was a religious experience.  I truly felt the presence of the Monet the master standing in his footsteps on the bridge overlooking the lilypond.  At the hotel Baudy I could imagine the American Impressionist sitting around the cafes discussing the recent paintings and wanting so much to be part of the painting revolution that had started in this little country town.  Arles in Provence colors were delightfully refreshing.  Warm pinks, cool blues, hot yellows, creamy whites and soft lavendar ancient stones still reflect in my memories of a place so far away but so dear to my heart.  I hope to return some day.