Plein Air

Plein Air (out in the open) paintings are created outdoors by Cheryl to capture a more raw, instantaneous ‘feel’ of her subject or to be used as reference for a more detailed painting done later in the studio. Depending on the circumstance, the paintings may be offered for sale, kept as study pieces or donated to a worthy cause.
Unless otherwise noted, all images © Copyright Ceol Creations Corp.
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Under The Footbridge<br /> <br /> There's a special place in Murrysville, Pennsylvania called Duff Park. It has a rich history and plenty of beauty to be found along its trails and under its footbridges.<br /> <br /> A stream skirts the outer edge, twisting and turning quietly. Following the stream, I was enticed by the scene beneath the first footbridge. It was late in the year when I painted this on site. You have to be careful though, the water can be cold that time of year. <br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
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Under The Footbridge

There's a special place in Murrysville, Pennsylvania called Duff Park. It has a rich history and plenty of beauty to be found along its trails and under its footbridges.

A stream skirts the outer edge, twisting and turning quietly. Following the stream, I was enticed by the scene beneath the first footbridge. It was late in the year when I painted this on site. You have to be careful though, the water can be cold that time of year.

Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper

Plein AirNatureDuff Park

  • Along The Shore - Clearcreek State Park<br /> <br /> I'm fortunate having friends who enjoy the outdoors. You'll see several Plein Air paintings of the Clearcreek State Park campgound in Sigel, PA. That's in Jefferson County along the Clarion River. <br /> <br /> Imagine getting up to a chilly morning, you start the coffee brewing and carry your camp chair and watercolors just a few feet closer to the river's edge. Now relax and sit down to listen to nothing but the soft lapping of the Clarion against it's banks and the beginning chirpings of the birds.<br /> <br /> You look at the river and hills, still wrapped in mist, but just a moment later a magical landscape slowly reveals itself, transforming from a soft monotone vision to a full color work of art.<br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Kim's Kayak<br /> <br /> The Clarion River makes for good fishing and kayaking. Camping in the Clearcreek State Park allows you to slow down and enjoy the simple beauty of nature.<br /> <br /> Whether you're along the river's edge reading a good book, or paddling in the Clarion, getting back to nature is always worth your time.<br /> Thank You Kim.<br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Cold Press Watercolor Paper
  • Around Clarion's Bend<br /> <br /> As the Clarion River runs through Clearcreek State Park, it gently twists and turns with a few rapids here and there. You can find a good fishing, swimming or sunbathing spot in the river and spend the day there. Or, like me, gaze at it's beauty and try to get it down on paper.<br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Under The Footbridge<br /> <br /> There's a special place in Murrysville, Pennsylvania called Duff Park. It has a rich history and plenty of beauty to be found along its trails and under its footbridges.<br /> <br /> A stream skirts the outer edge, twisting and turning quietly. Following the stream, I was enticed by the scene beneath the first footbridge. It was late in the year when I painted this on site. You have to be careful though, the water can be cold that time of year. <br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Catchin' The Waves<br /> <br /> Is there anything better than the ocean ? The sounds, the smells and colors are magnificent. <br /> <br /> Myrtle Beach at midday brought many a bird and much scampering in and out of the incoming water. It's the original 'bird dance', performances available every day of the year. <br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • And The Sun Sets<br /> <br /> Golden, peaceful, two fine feathered friends call it a day at a deserted spot at Myrtle Beach. This painting was one of several watercolor postcards painted of the South Carolina shoreline. The birds had finally slowed down after a long day of food gathering and were quietly wandering along the beach, stopping now and again to look towards the ocean.<br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Two Birds, A Pier<br /> <br /> I couldn't resist the play on words for the title. Especially since the seafaring birds are always scampering in and out of view and there's something special about an ocean pier. <br /> <br /> This is one of several watercolor postcards that I painted while on vacation at Myrtle Beach with my sister and two nieces. If you look into the water you can see them enjoying the waves.<br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Trees Along The Clarion<br /> <br /> There's something dramatic and yet simple about doing a painting in a single ink color. It has a certain kind of power.<br /> <br /> If you were to visit the Clearcreek State Park you would be greeted with a great deal of trees throughout the park and along the river's edge. When I painted this on site, the sun was extremely strong and the trees were almost completely silhouetted. The river's reflection was brilliantly bright .<br /> <br /> I was captivated by the leaning tree. It stood out, appearing to want to pull away from other perfectly vertical trees nearby. <br /> I had to paint it.<br /> <br /> Medium: Black India Ink on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Gull At Thunder Hole<br /> <br /> This plein air charcoal study was done along the coastline of Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, Maine. The rugged terrain, temperamental ocean and local wildlife make it a wonderful place to sketch. It you're wise, you'll time your visit there to see the tide come in and hear the thunderous boom.<br /> <br /> Medium: Charcoal on Grey Charcoal Paper
  • Edgewater Cove<br /> <br /> Walking the rugged Maine coastline allows ample opportunity to enjoy the ocean and the people who make their life there. This morning was very grey. You could barely distinguish where the skyline met the ocean. <br /> <br /> The sounds were very muted. Just the light creaking of the boat and swishing of the water.<br /> <br /> Medium: Charcoal on Charcoal Paper
  • Butler Farm Show - Clydesdale<br /> <br /> It was during a downpour of rain, that I got a chance to spend some time sketching this beautiful horse. <br /> <br /> The barn was exceptionally hot, there were a lot of people crowded around trying to escape the weather, along with myself and several other artists. <br /> <br /> I was fortunate to capture several views of the Clydesdale along with talking with other horse lovers. <br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Paper
  • Butler Farm Show - Shorthorn Cow<br /> <br /> "Gizmo" was an adorable cow that was irresistable to sketch. <br /> <br /> There were times during the drawing sessions that I would take the minimal amount of time to capture the animal and othertimes that I intentionally take more time for a detailed picture. This drawing was a 'quick sketch' taking just a couple of minutes. It's great practice, to make sure you don't dawdle and overdo the subject.<br /> <br /> There were so many astounding animals at the farm show that it was difficult just passing any of them by.<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Paper
  • Butler Farm Show - Rooster<br /> <br /> This quick sketch of the 'Ancora' breed was done in about a minute. There were people walking through the aisles in this show area, so it's best to do a really quick sketch and keep on moving. <br /> <br /> Again, this makes for great practice putting down only the bare minimum and still capture your subject.<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Paper
  • Butler Farm Show - Tractor<br /> <br /> After the rainstorm cleared at the farm show, my friends and I sat down to sketch and paint the farm machinery on display.<br /> <br /> I'm sorry to say I don't have any further information on this particular tractor, other than it made me take a moment to think. All the food we eat, everyday, someone is planting, harvesting, shipping it to locations near our homes. It reminded me how much I take for granted. <br /> <br /> How fortunate we really are in this country.<br /> <br /> Medium: Watercolor on Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Butler Farm Show - Turkey<br /> <br /> This is another 'quick sketch' done of a very handsome and talkative turkey. Let me rephrase that to a 'very, very talkative turkey.' A very 'loud, talkative, turkey'.<br /> <br /> It's fun to get into the pattern of, 'walk' 'stop' 'draw', repeat.... especially if your hand work is a bit rusty. It really helps to just let yourself 'loosen up' when done with the right attitude. Just capture something of your subject, no pressure to make it photorealistic, move on to another subject. You start making more judicious markings on the paper with the time you do have. <br /> <br /> Even when the drawing is really rough, you can still capture 'an attitude', or the basic essence of the animal.<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Paper
  • Butler Farm Show - Daisy the Pig<br /> <br /> Now how could I possibly walk by and not sketch this cute pig ? <br /> <br /> "Daisy" was fast asleep with her food bowl leaning against her head like a hat. She looked so content. <br /> <br /> This was a five minute sketch, done in a very 'fragrant' part of the farm show. It all adds to the experience of sketching "Plein Air". Or "Not So Plein Air".<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Paper
  • Assateague Island - Pony in the Sand<br /> <br /> It seems somehow not quite right to see a pony sunbathing along with human beings. But, there you have it. One very scruffy pony lying in the sand, hair blowing in the wind, ocean waves rolling in.<br /> <br /> Somedays you would look for the ponies and not see any at all. The next day you walk over a dune and there's a herd just walking along a sunset beach. Amazing.<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Charcoal Paper.
  • Assateague Pony Club<br /> <br /> If you were lucky to catch the Assateague Island Ponies during naptime you could spend a little longer on sketching them. It's difficult though, because you really just wanted to sit and watch them too.<br /> <br /> We were tent camping on the sand during this trip. The ponies did end up pulling out one of our tie downs and were jostling our well locked food containers.<br /> <br /> Other campers weren't as lucky. Someone with a pop up trailer camper had a birthday cake inside on their table. Let's just say that netting doesn't hold back a hungry pony.<br /> <br /> Can you picture it ? You hear the waves in the background, smell the salt air, the wind is blowing through your hair and the ponies' hair. It's really very quiet, peaceful and everyone is just enjoying a lazy day on the beach.<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Charcoal Paper
  • Assateague Island - Lone Pony<br /> <br /> This sketch is done at Assateague Island near Chincoteague & Ocean City. It actually lies in the states of Virginia and Maryland.<br /> <br /> Camping on the beach there offers opportunity to come in close proximity to the wild ponies and deer that roam the island. They were all very calm and easy to stand and sketch.<br /> Though of course, you shouldn't attempt to pet, or get too close.<br /> <br /> If you're looking to vacation along the shore on the eastern U.S.A. you should consider stopping by.<br /> Beware, though, they humourously say their state bird there is the mosquito.<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on charcoal paper.
  • Butler Farm Show - Sheep<br /> <br /> Another quick sketch of a pair of sheep about to take a nap.<br /> <br /> They were such gentle creatures and incredibly soft.<br /> <br /> Medium: Pencil on Paper edit
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