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Plein Air Painting
or
"just painting outdoors"
Plein air is the term used for painting on location in
"fresh air" or "plain air". To me, it's just painting
outdoors! I've painted in local parks near my
home so often, that I've become known as the "park painter"!
Choose a location that you are comfortable with or invite another
artist to join you.
Painting on location doesn't need to be a daunting experience. First
you'll need to decide which medium you prefer, and then decide what
essentials you'll need to carry with you into the field. I paint with oils
or pastels but the essentials are the same.
Here's a must have list.....
-
Medium of your choice - for oils, choose a
warm and cool of each primary, plus white. Limiting your palette will
force you to be more observant and mix your colors more carefully to
achieve color harmony. If pastels, I recommend beginning with a quality
landscape set, and then adding colors as you find the need. I probably
have about 200 colors for my field kit...not a lot of pastels actually!
-
Since I use a palette knife and paint alla
prima with oils, I don't need a medium or paint thinner, but if you use
brushes, you'll need a small quantity of each. Check out the small tins
with plastic snap on caps. Don't take large bottles...think weight and
size!
-
EASEL. See what other artists use and
ask questions. Find an easel that suits your needs! If
you need to sit, choose an easel that allows for height variations. I use
a Soltek which is highly wind resistant and has adjustable legs for uneven
ground. Weight is a factor and so is size.
-
Clean-up supplies. Either a small handtowel,
paper towels (fold several into your bag...leave the roll in the back of
your vehicle), handy wipes, or baby wipes work well for dusty hands or
oily fingertips. Don't take the entire box or roll....take only what you
need for that painting session.
-
Your choice of surface to paint
on....canvas, canvas board, gessoed board, paper, etc. depending on the
medium. Start with smaller sizes - 8x10, 9x12, 11x14.
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A wet painting carrier is a must with oils.
I keep pizza boxes in my vehicle to place wet oils into while
transporting. Since pastels are dry, they are much simpler. Just cover
with a sheet of glassine and stack or slip into a portfolio - waterproof
if possible!
-
Sunscreen and Bug Repellant (must haves!)
-
A hat to shade the eyes or be sure to stay
in the shade! Sunlight on your painting surface or palette will cause you
to compensate and paint too dark.
-
An umbrella to shade your painting surface
is optional. I usually work in the shade or turn my painting surface so
that it blocks the sun. A piece of foamcore behind my stretched canvas
blocks the sun well also without adding weight.
-
WATER - stay hydrated, even in cold
weather!
-
Cell phone - keep it handy in your bag in
case of emergency, especially if you paint alone in remote areas.
-
I keep a whistle attached to my paint bag
in case I need to make a lot of noise! Three bursts is an emergency
signal.
-
I advise my students to "practice" in their
own back yard! It's a short trip to the house for forgotten must-haves and
if you take too much out, it's an easy trip taking it back inside!
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Oil Pastels en Plein Air
Oil pastels are one of my favorite
mediums for painting outdoors. Think light when packing your bag! Choose a plastic
tackle box and sort the oilies by color families for fast selection. If the weather is warm, you can sit the
tackle box into a lightweight cooler with ice below it. Put a towel over
the ice and it will stay cold much longer. This is a good idea when
traveling in a warm vehicle or leaving your oilies sitting in the back of
an auto for short periods of time.
When the temps rise over 80
degrees outside. Switch to one of the harder consistency oil pastels such
as Craypas Specialist or Caran D'Ache.
Supplies for the outdoor adventure....
-
an easel
-
Craypas Specialist wooden box set (my
choice)
-
several paper towels folded in plastic bag
-
baby food jar of turpenoid and a one inch brush
-
razor blade in holder for scraping
several oil pencils for sketching
couple of baby wipes for cleaning hands
-
substrate of choice - usually Art Spectrum stapled to foamcore
Steps when painting......
-
Set up easel with the open box of Craypas
in front
-
Attach substrate to easel and sketch the
scene
-
Check composition for shapes....big,
medium, and small sizes. Where is the horizon? Avoid the center of the
painting or you will have two halves. Think in unequal proportions and
abstract shapes.
-
A thumbnail sketch will be valuable for
seeing the value structure of the scene, especially when the light
changes!
-
Paint in light layers the large shapes
paying attention to value. If you want to blend, use the turpenoid and
brush to lightly blend. This will create an almost watercolor like surface
to complete your painting on. Be sure your substrate will withstand
turpenoid or mineral spirits.
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If you begin to think details, stop and
step back, squinting to compare your work with the scene. Details should
only be added at the end and then very sparingly!
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Look for more than one color in a shape.
For example, a tree shape. Choose blue/purple/orange/yellow or other
colors. Hold them in your left hand as you work switching from color to
color as the eye discerns glints of various colors in the shape. Notice I
did not say "green". Green should be used after you have the shape of the
tree established and then only in minute touches! A little green goes a
long way!
-
Keep asking yourself "why did I choose to
paint this scene?" That's the key to your focal point, or the atmosphere
that you want to capture, or the area you want to give the most attention
to. And....when you have answered that question, it's time to stop
painting! You have said enough.
-
And last but not least,
Have FUN!!
Oil Pastel Demo I
Oil
Pastel Demo II
Soft
Pastel Demo (Alcohol Underpainting)
More
Artist to Artist - Creative Challenges
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