So, the outside world is calling, time to grab your paints and have some fun.
Plein air painting – May 2022
The big question is - What easel? There are two ways to look at this:
1) source your own components, or
2) buy a package.
Source your own if you are familiar with tripods and mounts. You can then shop around for shelves, etc. Various companies such as En Plein Air Pro website, Jerry’s, Cheap Joe and Amazon offer options.
For most of us, buying a package, including the tripod / mount and a holder for your paper / block, or canvas is best. A good setup offers a shelf for your palette, water, and brushes. Lightweight is best. You do NOT need expensive add-ons / upgrades. You can use your plein air easel as your indoor set-up, and for any medium you choose.
The En Plein Air Pro entry- level model – Traveler – is a great choice and includes a high-quality carrying case, water cup and a palette. The company also sells components to assemble your own easel. https://enpleinairpro.com/collections/packages
Here is a packing list for a plein air day:
· Paints in an already loaded, light weight, small palette (carry flat)
· Extra tubes of paint as needed – try to be minimal
· Water cup and water supply – do not assume you will have access to water.
· Watercolor block w/ knife or taped sheets (multiple)
· Artist tape
· Brushes in carrier
· Sketch pad (small) & pencils, eraser
· Clamps or heavy-duty bag clip
· View finder
· Paper towels, wet wipes and a small trash bag.
· Hat (even if you have a parasol / umbrella) – protects your vision, your skin and allows you to better see your subject.
· Bug Spray and sunblock
· Water to drink, Snacks / coffee
· Comfortable Shoes and layered clothing
· Camp Chair
· Pack items in a backpack or bag, and use / re-use various sized plastic sandwich / freezer bags
Try to travel light. You may want to put essentials in one bag, and leave a bag with snacks, extra paint tubes, jacket, in your car.
How to plan? Choose your location based on how visually interesting it is to you! Also think about parking, amount of walking (it will not be downhill both ways), permission for private property (don’t be that person), safety (travel in pairs or groups), nightfall and the weather forecast.
Once you arrive, it will take about a half hour to set up and settle in. First, walk and look around, and take in the possibilities. Maybe even do a thumbnail or two before you set up your easel.
Unless you have an umbrella for your easel, you will most likely need to set up in shade, not only for sun protection BUT also because it is difficult to judge values and colors with the sun shining on your painting.
When you have chosen your spot, set up your easel, tying your trash bag on the tripod. Palette, brushes, water cup on the shelf. You may stand or sit, but do not switch up in the middle of the painting!
Start your painting - Use your pencil to lightly capture the shapes as they are made by the values you see – light and dark. Draw out your composition starting at your feet and moving through the composition. Use the view finder to figure out where the edges of the composition end.
Simplify, simplify, simplify, and group. Choose your center of interest.
Once your drawing is down lightly on paper, use your watercolors to lay in the lightest areas. From the beginning use your brush tip to lightly “draw” shapes in addition to laying in washes of color. In my opinion, working outdoors demands a more direct approach to painting.
Work from light to dark, vague to specific, bigger shapes to smaller shapes. Your goal is a painted “sketch” of the subject, maybe a few sketches! Let the air dry your watercolor as you work.
After about a half an hour of painting, you will notice that the light has changed. Try to continue with the composition you have laid out. After about two hours, the scene you are painting may look VERY different! The light has completely changed. That means it is time to stop working on that painting, and perhaps try another. Or snack time.
As you finish your day, check that your trash is in your bag. Pack out your dirty water if you can. Leave the site better then you found it.
If you are very lucky, you will be back tomorrow, setting up at the same time, and catching that light once again!
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