Ecola State Park and Sunshine

Ecola State Park

We have sunshine! We also have mid to upper 70 degree weather! I melt in anything over 75 so it is quite warm for me. We went to Ecola State Park yesterday. Unfortunately the sunshine brings the strong winds. I spent about an hour trying to find a sheltered spot to paint on Indian Beach. Alas, the wind was blowing me and the sand around. It felt a bit like being in a sandblaster. I never even took my painting pack off. We decided to call it off and head home. On the way out of the park I spotted another road and we turned off to explore. I was determined to find a sheltered spot to paint. I found the spot above which is more sheltered from the wind. It was getting late so we decided to go back this morning. We packed up a lunch and Twill and drove up the coast. Cannon Beach is about 14 miles or so from our town.

I got set up and got to work.

Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach Oregon

Here I am painting with my brand new Coulter Plein air set up. Today was the first time I used it and I have to say, I really like it. It is lightweight and easy to pack as well as super easy to set up.
Twill insists on staying close by me. There was shade a few feet away under the trees but she made herself comfy in the shade from my easel. She had a big bowl of water to drink as it was quite warm. There was a bit of a breeze which kept me from getting too hot.
I decided to paint a larger study. I have been painting very small for several months now and I thought it would be good to mix it up a bit and paint larger. I am still pretty new to the whole plein air thing and have yet to take a class or workshop. I must admit, after today, I think it would be nice to take a workshop. I won't be able to do that this year but maybe next.
Here is the finished study. I would like to paint a studio painting from it and post it on the Paint the Parks website.

© 2013 R.L. Delight, Ecola State Park study, 11"x14", oil on gessobord.

I haven't painted in the sunshine much, maybe three or four times so I am not used to the effects of sunlight. I had the umbrella on my easel as the sun was pretty bright. The colors of the rocks were not quite right. Also I put the trees in the foreground very quickly as I wanted to focus on the water and the rocks.
It is a start and I will improve little by little. I will be painting more like the above this summer as the waves tend to be quite small and the sea fairly calm. I hope to get down the coast in July.
We are supposed to hit 80 degrees this weekend. That is very hot for us. I know others would find that temperature a relief! I will be getting the chores done and everything set for another week of painting.