 | Visual Voyages |
| | | |
| |  |
What is Plein Air Painting? It's a French term meaning painting outdoors. This style of painting is fun and can usually be accomplished in one sitting, although many artists finish their work back at the studio. Plein air painting is usually done in watercolor, oils, pastels, and occasionally in acrylics (although drying too fast can be a problem outdoors!) Cameras are also a good way of capturing the moment and painting from photos later on is always an option.
  
A couple of years ago, Sharon established a group of committed painters that gather about once per month to paint together in some local spot out of doors. The group has been dubbed "The Painted Ladies" for a number of reasons (although a few gentlemen join us often as well!) We do tend to "flit" around the area much like our butterfly namesakes, and we are...well, painters...you get it!
 
The group does mix socializing with painting and often picnic lunches (with and without local wine!) often occur. We've also been known to take the afternoon off to sit in the garden and smell the roses! These sessions are informal and free, and Sharon is available for consultation, but usually also paints along with the group.
Occasionally, Sharon will also hold special Plein Air Workshops for a small fee where students review how to select a view, develop a composition, identify the mass shapes of value and color, establish color harmonies, capture aerial perspective and believable light. On those occasionas, emphasis will be on loose, expressive “alla prima style” (finishing a painting in one sitting) while supporting each painter’s individual style. Sharon's easygoing, common sense approach will encourage and inspire.
Acrylics Plein Air Painting Checklist:
• A selection of acrylic paints
• At least one brush
• Bottle of water
• Cup for washing brushes
• Paper towel or cloth for wiping brushes on
• Palette
• Paper, boards, or canvas
• If necessary, an empty bottle for pouring dirty paint water into, for disposable back home.
Tips: • Consider using pieces of primed canvas which you tape to a board (foamboard weighs the least), then roll up when the painting is dry. Back home you can stretch them onto stretcher bars or glue them down onto a board.
• A disposable paper palette makes cleaning up easy.
• A moisture-retaining palette with a solid lid makes it easy to transport your paints.
Checklist for Non-Painting Plein Air Essentials:
• It's easy to get caught up in what you're doing and end up sitting in the sun for an extended period, sometimes over the hottest part of the day, so remember to take some sunscreen and a sunhat.
• Dress in layers that you can easily take off as you get hot (and put on when it gets colder).
• If it's cold, take a windproof jacket as you won't be moving around much.
• Fingerless gloves help keep your fingers warm while still giving you good motion and grip.
• Something to sit on, such as a small cushion or a beach towel. Consider taking a fold-up stool or chair if you know there's not going to be a convenient rock or wall to sit on and you don't want to sit on the ground.
• Some water to drink (don't rinse your brushes in it!) or a flask with coffee or tea (hot chocolate!) if it's cold.
• Wear neutral colored clothing (creams, beiges) rather than white which can reflect too much light onto your painting or bright colors which can reflect some of their color onto your painting.
• Insect repellent.
• A bag to put rubbish in, such as dirty pieces of paper towel.
• A large plastic bag can be useful as an emergency rain shield.
• A flash light if you're going to be painting through sunset.
• A camera is useful for recording the scene in case you want to finish or work on the painting back in your studio.
 
Please feel free to join us by calling Sharon for meeting times and dates!
 |
|
| |
| |
|
