Plein Air Painting

Plein Air...French for "Painting outdoors or in the air". Now is a great time of year to go out and find your outdoor muse! Here are some (not all) guidelines and helpful hints:

Before you start painting: Look at your view...and then decide:

* What will be your focal point?

* What can you simplify ...you do need to pick the main shapes and let others fall away.

* Composition...how can you change the composition to make a better painting? Unless you have to have a painting that represents your view exactly...you will probably change elements so your painting has a better composition. Natural isn't always best. 

* Value...find your values. Is the sky lighter than the mountain?...is the mountain darker than the sky?...etc.

* Light Source: It will change every second, not only because time tics...but clouds can cover over the sun etc..(you fainted because you didn't drink enough water). 

* Color Palette....use  limited colors. Keep your palette shaded.

* Paint small? It helps when you are chasing the light source, weather conditions and how fast paints dry.

* Do your homework on your area and expect the unexpected !!! (do as I say, not as I did!)!

While camping, I went, during early evening,  to Elk Lake to do a little Plein Air of the marina. The little lake I camp at doesn't have a lodge or marina. As I entered the gravel road into the lodge, I knew instantly I DID NOT DO MY HOMEWORK. The road was lined on both sides with parked cars, trucks, empty boat trailers and PEOPLE....making the road into a one-way only. After backing up several times to let (unfriendly) drivers through....I parked almost as far away as the lake I 

left !!! (thank goodness I pack light). There was a wedding, a concert, day users and campers. Maybe...never go on a weekend??? The shore line was packed....I'd say, 5 people per square foot.  Anyone who has met me know I don't like painting in a crowd....but I said "What would my students do?" I was brave and went for it. I found a little spot with a little stump to lean my board on next to a family of 5 and 2 dogs ( that loved the water...got the picture?). I was lucky the 2 of the children were to young to ask me questions, the older daughter was in the stage of not daring to look at anyone...so I was lucky there too. I only wish I could say as much for the 2 dogs. I did two little paintings in watercolor in about 1 hr and got out of there. I went back during mid-week and found it to be a better experience. The morning reflections were so much better too.

There are a lot of details to learn about Plein Air...the best way to learn is to go out and try it. Have fun.

 I painted only a few of the boats...my way to simplify the composition.

Early evening cast a interesting light...but the reflections were nonexistent. 

Got my Challenge Trees painted!

Share your Plein Air Paintings with us....e-mail them to me and I'll post.