Monday, September 10, 2007

Pacific Grove, California, USA

Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula has some of the best rocky coastline in the world for plein air painting. It is very accessible since there is a road that runs along the coastline all the way from Monterey through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, so you can easily park you car in the many parking areas and you are within steps of your painting spot. The weather varies throughout the year and you can get some amazing winter storms in January and February that come in from the Pacific and create spectacular waves and colorful skies. In the summer the water is calmer and you get some wonderful shimmering effects across the bay. Beware that in the summer, from July to September, the fog can roll in and it can be very cool here so bring layers that you can put on and take off as the temperature changes.

The only drawback with this plein air painting location is that because it is so accessible you can be surrounded by tourists at any time, taking your photograph and asking you about your painting - they sometimes seem to think an artist is part of the tourism on offer!

Overall rating: ****
Aesthetics: ****
Accessibility: *****
Tranquility: **
Variety: ***
Shade: **

Map: Pacific Grove, CA USA

This location contributed by:
Barry John Raybould