![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hlBs2_nbYiLLjRUgwQ83B0ogJ0KiPuZHjW-2WD3NUnV-UQyAMANbUgq9GigPILqZIGFf2ZiI7EN-wrMhqgjpNV0mevA8-nVpBFEwcYGObEjsYtj3AYLsRypRN3AUNrMPbTzljkL81dD0/s320/AnitraPainting_3473_6wb.jpg) |
Anitra painting • class plein air painting field trip • photo © 2011 Karen Lynn Ingalls |
If you're planning on being a part of the
Calistoga Art Center's first plein air paintout (the entry fee is only $25 if you sign up by September 15th), you may want a few tips on painting en plein air (in the open air). So, for you – notes on plein air painting:
- Make quick thumbnail sketches of your composition before you begin
- Bring your camera to take photos – the light will change, and it will give you a record of what the scene looked like
- Wear a hat to provide shade
- Bring a mister bottle to keep your palette from drying out too quickly (if you're using acrylic paints – Open Acrylic paints give you more drying time, and work much better on a hot day)
- In some places, mosquito repellant is advisable
- Don't take too much gear along, especially if you have to carry it a ways from your car
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23b97kHH1ttDWuNhM1d_Zj3cHA16EGILznDHg-rZ8AAkOPKvMFnfzKZMQ_yPF_dSkDeUnmaJL3dVGNbG0X-kihwBPOA_ZHiUiZ_JMT6gYX-F7N3kN2cHs6_Q4ks5AXrAGcpcxlTqD-aCy/s320/JDeutschPainting_3462_6wb.jpg) |
Jennifer painting • class plein air painting field trip • photo © 2011 Karen Lynn Ingalls |
- Be prepared for wind – you can tape your palette paper down and brace your easel
- Although limiting your gear is good, an old ironing board makes a useful place to put your palette and water, if you are setting up close to your car
- If you don't want people to talk to you, and you're in a busy area, ear plugs and a portable radio/iPod helps – even if you're not listening to it.
- Most plein air painters work very small on location – perhaps 4" x 5", 8" x 10", or 9" x 12". This is because light and weather conditions can change so rapidly - it's easier to get everything down rapidly when you work small. Often, they will use those studies as the basis for larger paintings later.
- You can also return to the same scene at the same time a couple of days in a row, to catch similar light as you work on the same painting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNM0n-vfhvyi0v1V5IUHGcbAMz0WkfiEMTYaYUNLNJJdQzHAFnsbSg3mZebHfJbxObQvKhfw6PaBCpRIBhejUjGicmUN7NxKYbQ_XPzqqla9tzwGwC4o1F0vKakhvcaND6P3V2A1MyIS9/s320/Victoria%2526JenniferPainting_3464_6wb.jpg) |
Victoria and Jennifer painting • class plein air painting field trip • photo © 2011 Karen Lynn Ingalls |
No comments:
Post a Comment