“Victorian, Brookfield CT”

It was so challenging just to paint the complicated architecture and get the perspective reasonably right that by the end of even a lengthy plein air session, I had merely been able to suggest the surrounding landscape. As a result, I finished the landscape in my in studio (from photos). I used to paint with artists who were adamant that plein air paintings must done entirely on site and within some time limit like one or two hours. While I believe practicing with those goals can be a great discipline, I hold a more broad definition of plein air painting. I'm often drawn to more complex subjects like this one, and I have no qualms about making adjustments and completing paintings back in the studio. I want to make the most of scenes that excite me and provide inspiration.