PLEIN AIR oil painting in SAN FRANCISCO on California Street

Thanks!

[MarkEGreen-rfon]

It's strange how plein air paintings come alive once you take them home. I have been painting the English countryside en plein air for many years, often returning to the scene several times when painting a large picture. It's very daunting at times, and more often than not, you feel dissatisfied with what you've done.
You have literally put yourself on the spot painting in the middle of the street, but you have nailed the scene. You could leave it as a sketch, or work it up into a more detailed scene.👍

[meredith]

That's a good method to start the plotting of the city scape I will try that

[bertorr]

Looks like you had fun Mike, loved the light contrast and perspective in this one...well done.

[paullevin]

1.5 hours is crazy fast! And I really like this unfinished look. Very satisfying. To be honest, I liked your last seascape (the one with the cloud, when the rock-balance artist visited) better just after the initial block-in. The finished version had duller colors, especially in the distance. You have developed a wonderful capacity to capture a scene very quickly and lively that I think you should trust.

[timprichard]

Very nice. I always love your purple shadows.

[donleblanc]

I would agree with you. The loosness adds interest, I would be to tempted to detail it too much. Great video, great painting!

[sharronboxenbaum]

You take such a complex city scene and break it down so beautifully. It’s like magic

[laurenabeirnes]

I really like how you can simplify a scene! I would not know where to start and would be looking at every building. So thank you. I think I will have to try a street scene once it warms up.

[joshuazapeta]

Omg i knew it! I saw you painting it from the bus lol. Love your work

[matthewgyulay]

I think the fact that you say you're just looking to paint rather than "create a masterpiece" (my words), probably works in your favour every time. Whenever you say that, the work turns out well. Admittedly, I, and many of the other viewers here are biased because we all love your work. But if you can go out and be pleased with some aspect of what you're doing, let alone the whole painting, that's never a bad thing. Nice piece Michael. I really enjoy your cityscapes.

[braddutson]

Great video, Michael! One of my favorite parts is when you made a comment about “enough information.” Good reminder that more is not always better, especially when painting.

[charles]

I used to be obsessed with photorealism and figurative works. However I when started to view Velasquez, Sargent, and Rembrandt I became more interested in the ability to produce an image and effects with a more economical use of brushwork. Your videos have reinforced this idea of less is more for me.Thanks .

[BarbrajoanOriginals]

I’ve seen you paint there before.. it comes natural to you. I’m upset right now because I’ve lost motivation for the past week or so. It’s happened before and always passes. But it still causes me to worry. Thanks Mike for all you do. Tallahassee

[josephtermeer]

Use the edge of the long palette knife to get those straight lines if desired, thank you for sharing! I miss the bay area.

[bdg]

I'm so in awe of how you whip out a painting in such a short time and have it look this good! Goals!

[njleo]

Using your technique in my painting and it's the first time I'm using the plein air technique . I'm super nervous so I'm watching your videos like lectures .

[christinelewis]

I am really enjoying the looseness. I am definitely going more and more that way myself. I don’t really know why it appeals to me so much, but it definitely does 👍😊

[swato]

i like how you encurage us to go out and do art w out feeling judgment, ive done it a few times because of you . thanks and i love how you were just in santa cruz and now youre in san fran - im local to both of those areas - keep up the awsome work !

[RobboJ]

Great Michael! Don’t touch it up. Loose, abstract. Big brushes! Fab! Jill 🇬🇧

[lorrainem]

Great video Mike and great painting. Love how loose it is. The colors are good, and the shadows are perfect. I wouldn't change a thing.
You are so brave setting up in the middle of a busy street lol. I'd be hiding in a doorway near an alley 😂. When we can go out again, I'll be pleine air painting...but out in the quiet countryside where no one can see.