While on a trip down in Mexico at the end of April, I had a chance to do some colour studies on location as well as shoot a bunch of reference photos for larger paintings in the future.

Part of the time was spent babysitting time-lapse cameras and it gave me a chance to sit down and do some studies of the view.

I really loved the desert and wished I’d had more time to spend out there painting. Maybe next time.

Playa Palmilla from the Mirador, Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico
Watercolour and pencil on Arches cold pressed, 140lb 7″x 10″
April 13, 2007

This is the view from the Mirador down over Playa Palmilla. We had to sit out of the sight range of the cameras and so this was the view we got.

I’m horribly rusty, but improved slightly as the week went on.

View from the Mirador, Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico
Watercolour and pencil on Arches cold pressed, 140lb 7″x 10″
April 13, 2007

This is the view from the other side of the Mirador. After we sat for a while [me painting and my friend reading] the lizards started to come out from under the cactus – large dark striped grey ones, paler grey ones and small ones with bright blue tails.

Rocks at Playa Palmilla, Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico
Watercolour and pencil on Arches cold pressed, 140lb 7″x 10″
April 13, 2007

Erin on Playa Palmilla Beach, Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico
Watercolour and pencil on Arches cold pressed, 140lb 7″x 10″
April 13, 2007

We had an hour or so to sit at the beach.

I usually work from photo reference when I’m working on assignments due to time/size/space and logistical reasons but nothing can replace working from life. I’m inspired to do more on location sketches this summer, if only to get me out of the studio once and a while.

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