Santa Monica Pier

 I recently had the opportunity to paint the Santa Monica Pier...at sunset!  Our Saturday group leader and organizer suggested we do paintings from fellow artist's photos.  I thought it was a great idea and several artists offered their photos for the challenge.  I decided to try my friend Shinji's night time view of the Santa Monica Pier.  I've only tried a few plein air nocturnes which were pretty difficult to paint at night on site.  My most recent was almost three years ago A Busy Evening.  Using this exciting photo was fun and I wished I could see this view in person.  

 5" x 7" Gouache

Palisades Park

This week was full of exciting paint-out locations with the groups I go out with.  On Friday we car-pooled west for some ocean scenery.  We met in Santa Monica at Palisades Park.  The park stretches for a mile and a half along a bluff overlooking the Pacific.  It was a beautiful day with stunning views of the beach from Malibu to the Santa Monica pier.

The park attracts visitors from everywhere.  It's a great place for walking, exercising, biking, watching the sunset, and of course scenic views for painters.  We had six in our group that day, and there happened to be a plein air oil painting class meeting there too.  I thought it was fun to have so many painters working there.  I chose a view next to a walkway down to the beach where I could also see the pier.  I wanted to include the pier with its ferris wheel.  It's spectacular at night when it's lit but I haven't seen it in person.  Another visit would be great!

Some of the plein air oil class painting near me.