I'm fixed on learning about color and values so was back to the arboretum today to paint birch trees again.

I have been trying out a narrow palette of colors to make my pack lighter and to instill harmony in my compositions. The colors I am using these days and starting to really like are: Ultramarine blue, Permenant Red medium, Cad. Yellow Lemon, Naples Yellow Deep and Warm gray. Sometimes Cold gray too as it makes some lovely greens combined with CY Lemon. Oh and of course Titanium White. Making a color chart is the best exercise to help you see what possibilities

are available.

I was up at sunrise and made a hasty getaway to the Roozengaarde tulip fields in LaConner. What a scene!

Back in class again, this time to nail down specifics around Plein air painting. Today we covered site selection and value studies. It's the same drum beat I've been hearing for several months now and I think it is finally setting in.

We drove up Hwy 97 to Bend, OR and spent 2 nights there before returning to Seattle. This painting was one done in a park called Peter Ogden Park. The morning light was so golden on these trees I couldn't resist.

Our conference ended yesterday at noon and we took our gear out to Point Lobos to paint. I had never visited that area before and explored trails leading to Gibson Beach, China Cove and beyond. My tripod had failed Wednesday afternoon and I couldn't find a place to sit and paint but took lots of pictures and enjoyed looking at everyone work. Today it is foggy and isn't expected to clear so we may head north toward home. Maybe some scene will strike me on the way to paint. It will give me time to think about a report I am considering on what elements one should look for to paint in landscapes.

Yesterday's site was in Carmel and the color of the water was a meriad of hues. What a great day.