My first En Plein Air drawing

On this day I joined my partner while they were doing car detailing for neighbors. While I didn’t do the detailing, I saw it as a chance to bring out my drawing pencils again. I chose to focus on a shuttered window, maybe because of the way the tree framed it.

The car detailing lasted for hours, and I slowly sketched away without realizing I was technically plein air drawing (I had never even heard of that term before). The sun moved quickly, and the first shadow I drew on the house was soon gone. I thought I had measured it right, but I learned how fast light changes.

I got lost in the details of the shutters and didn’t realize I needed to move faster. The sketch ended up a mix of careful details and unfinished areas, a reflection of being unaware that I was racing the clock. Still, I am happy with the result. When I stay calm with art, it usually turns out better than I expect.

Charcoal on sketch paper. About 3 h sketch. En plein air and alla prima.