Eighth Bali painting.

You just can't have it all it seems. I've been wanting to paint some traditional boats and finally found a beach of them! Wonderful little ships. Well capable of handling serious seas. But I think for the first time in Bali, no coconut palms, and no thatched roofs.

O well. One of the realities of plein air painting is that you take it how it is, and make of it what you can. I think that it worked out ok.




15130 "Balinese boats". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Seventh Bali painting. "Behind the Reef"

This painting is all about light and the colour blue. I was fortunate to find a place to paint out of the direct sun. But sheesh it was hot. The hottest day yet. It was painted before midday. Then back to my room for siesta.

I have to clean my brushes immediately as in this heat the alkyd oil kicks within the hour and it becomes very difficult to clean them. Not good for their bristles.


15129. "Behind the Reef". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any plein air painting from my blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Sixth Bali painting "Morning at the Pool"

This was an interesting view over the pool into the dining room, that is open sided, past the pool side bar. I think that I will revisit this subject at it would work better with a vertical format.



15128. "Morning at the Pool" oil on panel. 6x8. NFS

Plein air paintings from my blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Rice Paddies and Palms.

Today we went inland, past Kuta and the capital city Denpasar to the art centre of Ubud. That in itself was an amazing experience. We called into different galleries looking at carving, wood and stone, and painting. Many crafts. So busy. I felt like I was bringing coals to Newcastle when I set my easel up to paint this.

But there must be very few plein air painters around. I seem to get a small crowd every time. The simple fact is that my painting is quite different that the local work. Less intricate and designer, more loose and gestural. The big bold work I have seen here is huge and thickly impastoed, painted with a knife. Real studio work.

O well, each to their own.



15127. "Rice Paddies and Palms". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Fourth Bali Painting

This is a surf beach but I'm not sure where. The family drove me there and while they went off and did beach things I painted this. I haven't handled a crowd scene with many umbrellas before, in such a small format.




15126. "Surf Beach". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any plein air painting from my blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Third Bali Painting. "Morning Walk".

This was painted on the way back from breakfast. I wanted something suggesting a traditional village. In the early morning light the palms and buildings worked for me.

It was painted "contre jour", that is, against the light. By the time I had finished the sun had swung so far around that the whole composition had changed.

Never mind. I think that I nailed it.



15125. "Morning Walk". Oil on panel. 6x8 in $100

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

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Second Bali painting.

This is a more measured painting later in the day. I had breakfasted by this time, and gone for a walk around the resort, looking for subjects. Really, this is such a beautiful place. For me the tranquil pool and the palm trees make it special.



15126. "Pool side, Bali". Oil on panel. 6x8 in. $100

Any plein air painting from this blog may be purchased by emailing me at

rosswhitlock@inspire.net.nz

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad