Plein Air Painting: Best Tips For Beginners
Plein air painting is a type of painting where the artist paints outdoors, in natural light. This centuries-old style of painting was made into a popular art form by French impressionists. "En plein air," which means "outdoors" in French.
This allows for direct observation of the surroundings and results in paintings with a more realistic and spontaneous appearance.
Some artists choose to paint plein air because they enjoy the immediacy of the process, or because it allows them to capture the changing light and weather conditions.
Others do it as a way to improve their skills, by working directly from life rather than from photos or memory.
Plein air painting is a great way to paint. Plus, it's relaxing and de-stressing.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best tips for beginners. We will cover from choosing the right supplies to finding the perfect location. Let's get started!
What Supplies Do I Need for Plein Air Painting?
Remember to Pack Light
Try making it simple! Don't get carried away with shopping. Below you'll find a list of basic supplies that will help you get your first outdoor painting, stress-free.
Supplies:
Easel
Paint Brushes
Palette Knife
Acrylic or Oil Paints
Solvent/Oil and Acrylic Mediums
Canvas
Don't Forget
Hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Wet wipes or Cloth Rag (for cleaning off hands and brushes)
Trash Bag
Drinking Water & Water for cleaning your brushes
A bag to carry all of your supplies
About the Environment
Wind
Painting on a windy day can be a challenge.
The paint will dry quicker which doesn't sound like a problem, but excessive wind can cause paint to dry so quickly that the integrity of the paint is compromised due to weakened bonds.
The wind can also cause your canvas or painting surface to move which will result in an uneven application of the paint, and ultimately an unfinished-looking painting. To combat this, try finding a spot that is sheltered from the wind or use a heavier weight easel.
Even if the wind seems minimal, a small gust is all it takes sometimes to dump your gear over. Use your backpack to weigh it, if your backpack isn’t heavy enough, collect rocks from the area and put them in the pack too.
Painting Light
One of the most difficult aspects in plein air painting is dealing with changes in the environment, such as changes in lighting throughout the day.
If there is a weather change, you can either visit your site multiple times to finish your painting, or take a reference photo of the landscape as soon as you set up. This will help you remember the conditions of the site that inspired you to paint it.
On a clear, sunny day, three different systems of illumination are at work: the sun, the blue sky, and reflected light from illuminated objects. Of these three sources of light, the latter two derive entirely from the sun, and thus should be subordinate to it.
Work in Layers
When painting with depth and dimension, such as a landscape, it’s important to let each layer of painting dry before moving on. If you work wet paint into wet paint, your layers will become muddied. You may ruin your progress if you rush yourself while working outside; Even if environmental conditions are changing, take your time.
Choosing a Location
Pay attention to the location you have chosen, there are towns and municipalities that have passed laws that actually categorize plein air painters in the same way as buskers.
So, always check what the local laws are, to make sure that you're not opening your easel up in an area where they don't allow you to paint.
The same thing applies to private property, always check with the owners if you can paint their properties.
Also, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and the potential hazards. For example, you should avoid painting near busy roads or other places where there is a lot of traffic.
You also need to be cautious when painting near bodies of water, as there may be hidden currents that could sweep you away. Whenever possible, it's best to seek out safe and scenic locations for plein air painting.
A beautiful view can make the painting experience much more enjoyable!
Once you are all set up, don't let anything hold you back.
Not only you will get to spend time outdoors surrounded by beautiful scenery, but you’ll also learn how to capture that beauty on canvas.
Let nature be your muse.
Plein air painting is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon, and with a little bit of practice, you'll be able to create stunning works of art that you can be proud of.
We’ve shared some tips to help make the process a little easier for you, so what are you waiting for?
Grab your paints and brushes and head outside! (just make sure to check the forecast first!)
Happy painting!
