As the summer begins we don't want to be shut up in our studio and back bedrooms making art, we want to be outside in the fresh air ("en plein air"). Artwey and Art in Poundbury have teamed up to bring you an interesting and comprehensive en plein aire programme for 2023. We have opened up our programme to anyone who wants to come along - beginners and experienced alike. It's free to come along though you may have to pay for parking, admission to venues (if any) etc.
If you're new to en plein air art making, or just need a refresher, Artwey Member Olivia Nurrish has written some hints and tips for you about what to bring and how to get started.
HINTS AND TIPS ON EN PLEIN AIR PAINTING OR DRAWING AND MATERIALS
If you have not painted or drawn outdoors before or it is a long time since you have, here are some useful notes on what to do/take. I do urge you to give it a go, it takes you out and about to interesting locations, is a great way to meet other artists and see what they are doing, what kit they take etc and also its fun!
PAINTING/SKETCHING - EN PLEIN AIRE (outside)
The impressionists were the first to get "out there" and taught us all the joys of looking.
Drawing anything is just a matter of 'seeing' and to do this you must begin any drawing session by just looking at your possible subject, before putting pen/pencil to paper. Start by wandering around the site/space to find a good view, even looking in different directions, then choose a place to sit or lean against, even take a small folding stool.
You may find it confusing to start, but look carefully - you are looking for a scene which gives good composition; colour, perspective and shapes: make a telescope or square out of your fingers to form a viewfinder to check the composition: look for the overall range of tones - half closing your eyes helps to reduce the information.
If you are new to painting outside I suggest just a sketchbook and pen/pencil to begin with until you get used to it or, as we say, get you eye in. Even if you are more experienced a quick sketch before painting is very helpful. Start with lightly drawing an overall pattern of the shapes before going in for more detail. If you are just drawing, add little notes of colours, shadows etc, then take a photo and when doing this ensure that your camera/phone is on a level of your eyes and not dipping down/or up, this will help you finish off at home..
Once you have gained confidence or have longer time you may want to paint with various mediums, below is a list of suggestions.
MATERIALS
In terms of what materials to take, it helps to decide in advance what medium and colour palette you are going to use and either have a checklist of what you need or have your different kits packed ready to go. Also think about how far you have to carry them, if taking a lot of kit it can be useful to put equipment in a wheelie shopping trolley, preferably with biggish wheels as terrain might be rough or a rucksack and wear comfortable shoes and long socks in grass! Handbags can be superfluous so, again, just carry what’s necessary and don’t forget your viewfinder to help with composition and a mobile phone to photograph your scene so you can continue on your painting at home. If you are a messy worker wear old clothes or bring an apron and be prepared for changing weather, wet, cold, sunny etc.
DRAWING: A small pad, a couple of pencils, pen, charcoal or conte crayon and maybe some coloured pencils.
WATERCOLOUR: watercolour pad or paper pre-stretched on a board, paint set with palette, brushes, pencil and pen and water jar, stopout, kitchen roll.
OIL: oil paper pad or pre-prepared boards/canvas, limited selection of colours in small tubes (you can just use primaries and white! You can also squeeze what you need out into a small tin/plastic lidded box and put in the freezer to keep fresh till next time!), palette (tearoffs are ideal), a few brushes, jar of solvent, oil dippers, kitchen roll. Water soluble oils are less messy and oils alkyds dry a bit quicker.
ACRYLIC: paper pad or primed board, selection of colours, brushes, water pot, palette, kitchen roll.
OTHER MEDIUMS: obviously there are lots of other mediums from inks, pastels to collage etc but again having a checklist or ‘travelling’ set up is very useful.
Depending on where you are going, the size of picture, your style and length of time you intend to spend, you may manage by finding somewhere to sit and paint on your lap or you may want to take an easel or tripod to attach to your pochade (a small box which holds palette, paints and your board especially made for artists), a chair or a stool.
WHAT ELSE?
· Bulldog clips are useful, especially if it’s windy
· Plastic to cover work in case of sudden rain or to carry wet work home
· Wet wipes/kitchen roll
· Hat if it’s sunny/Mac if it might rain
· Insect repellent and sun cream
· A drink/sandwich etc.
· Plastic bag to put rubbish in – and take home with you
USEFUL BLOGS ABOUT PLEIN AIR PAINTING
For more details, locations and dates of the 2023 En Plein Air programme please go to www.artwey.co.uk/events
You can also check out some images of last year's en plein air work in our gallery here: https://www.artwey.co.uk/gallery/530
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