Remembering New York, Summer 2014 (Part 4: Working Outdoors in Central Park)

I discovered the joy of painting outdoors with Teacher Elaine Herbosa and the rest of the painters at L’Arc en Ciel in early 2013. We would travel 2 hours each way to head to the beaches of Batangas for the day and paint under the scorching sun with our oils and makeshift easels. Paintings would be gestural and finished in an hour, each one a composite not just of visual elements on the final work, but also of the outdoor conditions that influenced the output.

All the more, I cherished every painting/drawing day I had in Central Park last summer. On my last week, I woke up extra early in the mornings and took my canvas to spots that spoke to me.  Here are some works from those visits:

Montalut NYC 2014 (26)

A sketch of my good friend, Tom, who took a nap while I sat under the trees and ate sweet summer peaches (side note: I didn’t know peaches were okay to be eaten with their skins! I even blanched them in boiling water to peel off those furry furs at some point).

Montalut NYC 2014 (27)

I love trees. Anywhere, any kind.  But especially when they’re inviting and used to being around people, like the ones in public parks.  There’s something so reassuring about them.

Summer morning Acrylic on canvas paper 16x20 inches July 22, 2014  Quick plenty air painting at Central Park. Happy I'm able to paint faster now, this was done in 1.5 hours.   #nyc #sunnyday #centralpark #outdoor #painting #pleinair #balto #trees #summer

Summer morning
Acrylic on canvas paper
16×20 inches
July 22, 2014

Quick plein air painting at Central Park. Happy I’m able to paint faster now, this was done in 1.5 hours.

#nyc #sunnyday #centralpark #outdoor #painting #pleinair #balto #trees #summer

Process pics:

Started painting in the Park yesterday as a slow goodbye to NYC. Was drawn to this spot with a dog sculpture, Balto.   #nyc #sunnyday #centralpark #outdoor #painting #pleinair #balto #trees #summer

Started painting in the Park yesterday as a slow goodbye to NYC. Was drawn to this spot with a dog sculpture, Balto. #nyc #sunnyday #centralpark #outdoor #painting #pleinair #balto #trees #summer

Montalut NYC 2014 (29)

Doodle from one of Central Park’s big boulders, overlooking a baseball field.

Doodles from New York 2014 (10)

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