5x7 Oil on canvas panel

My first plein air landscape. I had no idea what I was doing. All I really knew was that I didn’t want to haul my french easel out into the middle of the woods. And I also knew that I wanted to keep it light and small.

I decided to use a small cigar box as my palette and laptop easel. I don’t have a panel carrier, so I had to grab a panel small enough that it could be taped into the top of the cigar box - that meant 5x7. The small size of my palette also meant that I should probably limit my colors - Cad Yellow Light, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black, and Titanium White. I also brought a single medium-sized flat bristle brush, a small jar of mineral spirits, and some paper towels.

The weather was nice. The sun was out, but it wasn’t overpowering; although I will admit that all that sunlight made it hard to properly judge my paint mixing. Next time, I will try to find a spot in the shade.