Carmel Plein Air Paintings

Here are some of my small sketches from this week in Carmel, California. I am participating in the Carmel Art Festival, a plein air painting contest.

I first studied landscape painting at the University of California at Santa Cruz an hour north of here, and I’ve been painting in the area for the last 25 years.

Plein air sketch of buildings below Palo Corona, Carmel

Ranch Hand Houses, Palo Corona. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

I’ve always felt that growing up in California and being surrounded by the natural beauty of this state is what made me want to become a landscape painter in the first place. It’s always a pleasure coming back.

Plein air sketch of Corral de Cielo Road.

The Top of Corral de Cielo. 20 x 30 cm, oil on linen.

Plein air painting of San Benancio Road.

San Benancio Road. 25 x 35 cm, oil on linen.

Plein air sketch of Point Sur.

Point Sur. 20 x 30 cm, oil on linen.

Plein air painting of the Pastures of Heaven off Corral de Tierra Road.

The Pastures of Heaven. 25 x 35 cm, oil on linen.

Plein air painting of cliffs at Point Lobos.

Approaching Fog, Point Lobos. 55 x 70 cm, oil on linen.

Plein air painting of cliffs at Point Lobos.

Point Lobos Cliffs. 35 x 25 cm, oil on linen.

Plein air sketch of the cliffs at Point Lobos.

Point Lobos Cliffs in the Sun. 25 x 35 cm, oil on linen.

Plein air sketch of California Live Oaks.

Live Oaks, Corral de Tierra. 20 x 30 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air sketch of Big Sur.

Big Sur Sketch, Morning. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

Plein air sketch of Big Sur.

Big Sur Sketch, Afternoon. 25 x 35 cm, oil on panel.

10 comments

  1. Great work! You have such a knack for capturing the feel of a place. Carmel is such an oft-painted area, but your compositions feel so fresh, and your colors really ring true!

  2. Mark, these are just fantastic paintings! I’d love to feature your work in one of my upcoming blogs about plein air painting. Would you be game? A few images, and a short interview with you. Just let me know! I’m in Big Sur most of the time, but in NYC part of the summer. Always available by email though. Again, just outstanding work! Erin

  3. I’ve just had a look at your blog and your work is fantastic! There is a real freshness and purity of light about it. Very inspiring. I need to come back more often. If you ever fancy a small painting swap let me know!

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