In this episode of The Grand View, artist Stefan Baumann discovers the beach at Point Reyes National Seashore, where it is theorized that English explorer Sir Francis Drake once landed. This beautiful episode explores what proves to be one of the most diverse landscapes in America with over 330 species of animals, and some of the most shocking manifestations of plate tectonics on the West Coast. As he journeys this National Seashore, Baumann meets up with Kate McClain, kayaking tour guide; John Del’osso, National Park Ranger, and biologist, Dr. Sarrah Allen. Baumannn concludes by painting Point Reyes National Park’s “White Cliffs of Dover,” a tidal flat on the west side of the park.
Continue exploring America’s National Parks with Stefan Baumann and The Grand View! Return to video list
If you enjoyed this excerpt and would like to learn more about painting outdoors, you might like to purchase Stefan Baumann’s instructional DVD, which expands on the painting portion you just watched plus another segment from the King’s Canyon episode of “The Grand View.”
In the Point Reyes demonstration, Stefan Baumann visits Sir Frances Drake Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore in beautiful Marin County, California. He will address the importance of setting up your composition early, placing the focal point, horizon, etc., in order to capture the energy of your subject. Stefan will explain a little about how he prepares his canvas. Further, he will talk about the importance of the brush stroke, using varying pressures and directions to get the desired results. The colors used in this project are burnt sienna, cobalt blue, cadmium yellow medium, alizarin crimson and white.
In the King’s Canyon demonstration, Stefan Baumann travels to a small mountain lake 22 miles into the backcountry of King’s Canyon National Park in Fresno County/Tulare County just east of the San Joaquin Valley in California. You will learn how Stefan attacks the start of an outdoor painting project. Beginning with a limited pallet of ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow light, white, and burnt sienna, he will show you how to mix various tones of gray to do more than just sketch the painting. You will discover the secrets of using gray tones to complete the painting, rather than using primary colors directly from the tube. He will also spend time addressing the composition of your painting and working out where to start, breaking a complex project into manageable pieces. Click here to learn more and purchase the DVD.