Plein Air Still Life .. What?

I'm trying to keep in shape for the plein air paint out in Red River/Questa this July.  I painted here a couple of weeks ago, but need to do it more often to keep in shape.

The Southwest/Western Forum on wetcanvas.com has a monthly challenge, which I do something for almost every month.  The catch is that it is from photos.  Plein air is outside and in person.  What I did last month and tried to do this month is paint from the photo but treat it as plein air.  In other words, to paint quickly getting in the shapes and light first.  Capturing the feel and lighting and finish in about 2 hours.

When you paint outside or inside from life there is much more color in your world.  In photos, the shadows look very dark almost black.  In real life you see purple, red, green, blue and more.  I tried to think of the photo as a real still life set up.

Kay's Stuff

Pastels on reused Colourfix sanded paper

"plein air practice"

The "black" is really dark green and is more difused in real life.  Because this is a practice sketch, I do not plan on making those corrections or taking more photos.  Definitely a practice run.  It keeps me playing in the dust and preparing for the paint out.

We will see what happens tomorrow. 

We have our friend, T, visiting today along with another friend, Pam.  T moved to Oklahoma so we don't see her but once a year or so, now.  She is an artist, too.  She makes things from old found items and other bits and pieces that hold fond memories.  She also paints old furniture and other items.  Always fun....

T painted this chair for my studio.  She also makes jewelry.....  Very talented.