My city plants fields of sunflowers every year, which are always big attractions. This year they planted a field in our new downtown park. I joined a local plein air group in painting sunflowers at the park last weekend and it was rewarding although very hot.

I completed only one painting plein air as it was too hot and sunny to stay out much longer. (I was hospitalized for heat exhaustion about two weeks ago!) However, I’ve started three more paintings from photos that I took at the sunflower fields. The first painting shown is my 8×10 plein air version, and the others are all studio paintings in various stages of completion. The plein air experience helped me better gauge colors and values in my studio, but it’s almost always easier for me to work out compositions in the studio.

I can understand why Van Gogh liked sunflowers. They are not only colorful but fun to paint.