Mitch Baird loves to paint outdoors and utilize light. We all love that late afternoon or even early morning light. But how do you deal with the fleeting light that both bring? They are both sort of magical, but they come and go very quickly. Mitch recommends working with a small canvas during the “golden hour” because it is more like a golden fifteen minutes. When Mitch goes to paint, he usually carries a small 5 x 7 or 4 x 5 canvas because the best time to paint may only last 15- 30 minutes. He is making color and value decisions quickly. Mitch sees this quick type of painting as gathering information rather than having a finished product. Just as an author makes an outline for a book, Mitch is there to learn and grab something he can use as a catalyst for a larger painting.

If it is later in the day and he only has half an hour until the sun is gone, Mitch attacks the light first (on his canvas). The shadows will always be there, but the light will not, so you need to chase that light before it’s gone. You have to think in terms of speed. Otherwise, you may have to come back another day or work on the painting longer than you prefer.

As a painter, you should have an idea and plan for painting close to sunset. Mitch uses the term “Reactive Painting.” The value and color, the two things a camera can’t give you, are what Mitch focuses on while getting those 15- 30 minutes of light. He reacts to what he sees rather than overthinking since light can change within a minute of you looking down at your canvas and back up. Be sure to set yourself up mentally and physically. Over time and each time,  you are sharpening your reactive painting skill and expanding your knowledge base. There is no better place to do this than from life.

You can learn more from Mitch through his course “Painting with Perception” that has open enrollment three times a year:

To hear more on Reactive Painting and Sunsets with Gabor and Mitch, listen to the Paint & Clay Podcast here.