This past week-end I gave painting outside a shot. I’d never done this before, at all. What’s more is that I was attempting to paint some landscape elements and some structures. I’ve never done this before either. All the while there was shifting light, high heat and constant distractions.

I don’t know how those impressionists did it.

Well, I imagine that they weren’t using acrylics. Nor were they doing it in 90° heat. My paints were drying before I could really mix them and get them onto the canvas. If I added water, I just got transparent mush. If I kept the paint thick, it wouldn’t cover. The light went from an overcast day to bright and sunny in a blink of an eye.

I saved myself some heat stroke and quit after an hour.