Summer is upon us! With beautiful weather it's hard to sit inside and work on a painting. Maybe it's time for painting en plein air.
"Plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries but was truly made into an art form by the French Impressionists." (https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-subjects/plein-air/plein-air-art)
While I've never completed a painting outdoors, I know it's vastly different from using a photo reference. With light and conditions ever changing, how do we prepare ourselves? What materials do we need and how to we transport it?
For beginners such as myself it's hard to know where to start!
I am relying on my more experienced group members to share their wisdom and experience.
H.W
"Plein air. 8x10. P/A allows you to paint a view looking into the sun. Cameras don't like that. They make shadows to dark and lights to light. Trains you to see more info."
"12x16 oil. What better way to stay outside and great for distancing from others. You can pack light. You don't need to climb a mountain. Backyards and sidewalks work too. The best thing is you can do it all year round, there's no bugs in February."
What do you pack for your adventure outdoors?
H.W.
"Pack the minimum palette of colours that you can work with. When you get to 25% left in a tube of paint set it aside for plein air. There are a multitude of easels and I still use a 1/2 French easel. I can grab that and metal solvent jar and rags and be out of the studio in 2 minutes. My principle colours stay in my easel in the studio. It does matter how many separate pieces/bags you need as it is likely that you will forget one of them. I've seen people forget brushes and half of their paints.
Keep your "I might need gear" in the car with spare canvases. It does matter how many separate pieces/bags you need as it is likely that you will forget one of them. I've seen people forget brushes and half of their paints. to consider when you get there....."
J.C.
"So this is my traveling studio. It has everything I need and little more.
Everything fits in the green bag, bag fits in the wooden box and the box fits
in the cart. The cart is quite sturdy, so I can drag it almost everywhere. If I
need to I can include umbrella which can be attached to the cart and folding
table or even small camping stool. So what else do I take with me? Since I like to
paint with oil , I bring my oil paints, brushes (not all you see there)
solvent, cleaners, towels, plastic bags. Reasonable size of canvas, I like
12x16, sometimes pre-gessoed at home. Collapsible light easel and I am ready to
go. With all that, I can stop and paint wherever I like to."
"This was the painting from that Plein Air - was sold soon after."
L.R."This was a painting I started of the creek on my
son’s farm. I began with just shapes directly on to the canvas and then
finished it at home. I found it difficult to lug all the materials down to the
creek as it was quite a distance and after a couple hours it started raining
and I had to pack up. Note to self…check the weather before setting off to
plain air paint! "
What I've learned from this article is to be prepared and keep it simple! Bring what you need and some spare equipment just in case. Unfortunately you cannot lug your entire studio outside. I would suggest starting in your own backyard so you get a feel for what you need and what you don't. It's about experimenting with light and location. I think with some practice, you'll get a feel for what works.
Thank you to my PPAA members for submitting their valuable insight and beautiful Plein Air Paintings. Be sure to visit the Piano Cafe' in Port Perry. Many works from the PPAA are on display. We appreciate your support!
Happy Painting!
