It can be scary to try something new, especially when that something new takes place in the public sphere. Scarier still, when we are almost guaranteed not to be good at the new endeavor. No one wants to be humiliated or ridiculed when trying to climb their way up the learning curve of a new challenge.

I think that might be one of my favorite things about art (and horses) there is always something new to learn, an area or skill to improve, new challenges. As an introvert who treasures time alone in my studio, moving out, beyond the safety and comfort those walls provides an entirely new level of uneasiness. It's one thing to create a subpar painting no one will ever see. It is quite another to make the same bad painting in public. Strangers lurking behind you, watching... whispering... critiquing every brushstroke... questioning your subject selection, correcting your color choice... telling stories about themselves or their great aunt who was an artist....

Over the past month or so I have discovered several painters who I admire for a multitude of reasons. Many of them are almost exclusively plein air painters. So, I decided to do some research. I've read books, watched video demos and youtube tutorials, listened to dozens of interviews, subscribed to several blogs and many podcasts. As it often happens, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I actually know.

I don't have much experience with landscape painting and I'm working to improve some technical issues. But I think it’s good to have a baseline or starting point so we can see our growth. A recent family trip seemed like the perfect time to attempt some of the things I’ve learned over the past several weeks. So here is my baseline.