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The hamlet of Noyac, in the village of Sag Harbor is a sweet collection of mostly smaller homes originally built as summer cottages. Diverting down side streets, there are plentiful painting worthy views along the bay. I was fortunate to spend a few days there with my plein air kit. 

I was painting with Megan Euell again as part of her summer workshops. Sessions were three days and I was able to sign up for two sessions. We painted Wednesday through Friday from 10am until 2pm. Very intense! Megan's resume includes graduating from the Florence Academy of Art, which in my dream life I always thought I would like to attend. Now that I am really living my dream life, I am grateful to be able to learn from Megan in Noyac (one step removed from Florence). 

One beauty of plein air painting is being part of the scene. A kayaker says, "hello" checks out our paintings and pushes off into the water. Shy construction workers peek at our work as they head to the head; the nearby port-o-san, which is also handy for someone outside painting for four hours! Paddlers float by on their boards. Boats cruise by followed by a flock of mallards. The high pitched whistle of an osprey draws our eye to the dead pine across the way. With difficulty we choose a view and sketch out our plans for a painting first in a sketch book and then refine it with vine charcoal on our toned substrate (canvas, board, etc.).

Preliminary sketch on gessobord

As we work on our paintings, there are so many elements that asked to be added.
Perhaps a paddle boarder?

Or a motor boat?

Or an egret? Yes, add later....

It is a result of Megan's classes that I've finally become comfortable color mixing with a pallet knife. When mixing with my brush I would often end up with a glob of unblended paint showing up when I least wanted or expected it. When you are painting outside and trying to capture a particular time of day, effect of light, the less oopsies, the better. Above, my pallet with my pallet knife blended piles of paint.

"View Towards Clam Island", Oil on Gessobord, 11" x 14"

Another day, another beautiful view. I loved this boat.

Trying not to get sea sick as the boat changes position while I'm trying to paint it. At least no one came to sail it away before I got a good start and took a bunch of photos! Experienced plein air painters always advise to get in your most important features before something changes. The light will change, the object may move, and so on....

Hello! A fisherman going out for crabs. I was reminded of a fellow salesman's phrase in my previous life to describe an easy sale, "Like a chicken wing on a string."

This summer's painting sessions were blindingly beautifully sunny and hot. Having my lawn chair, which I dragged into the shade for breaks, and water bottle a necessity. I was also thankful to have this umbrella designed especially for plein air painters by EasyL Artwork Essentials.

"Noyac Summer", Oil on Gessobord, 8" x 10"

These paintings are currently available at The Wharf Shop in Sag Harbor, as well as some by Hugh Gallagher!