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Sunset Mooring, Nova Scotia,
by William H. Hays, 2004, oil, 38 x 28. |
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With summer in full swing, I've been spending as much time as
possible outdoors, going to concerts and plays, walking from place to
place when I do my errands, and just finding every excuse for an
outdoor excursion. Plein air painting is another perk of the season.
There's something invigorating about stepping outside and sharing space
with your subject matter-breathing the same air, seeing the same light,
and having an in-the-moment experience with the landscape.
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Dune Pathway,
by Joann Ballinger, 2005,
pastel, 5 3/4 x 7 3/4. |
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Hopkins Road
by Jean Stephens, 2000, oil, 28 x 48. |
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Creating plein air paintings can definitely test you as an artist.
There are plenty of challenges—contending with the ever-changing
elements, mixing paints quickly and accurately, editing a scene into a
manageable composition while capturing the feel of the place, and doing
all of this without the security and convenience of your studio. You
really have to know your medium—what it is capable of doing in reaction
to heat, sunlight, and humidity. That's where the books
How to Paint:
Pastels,
How to Paint: Oils, and
How to Paint: Acrylics can come in
handy. Each book delves into the details of its specific medium,
offering practical information and advice on finer points that may be
helpful when painting in the field.
Painting outdoors can be one of the most rewarding activities a painter
embarks upon. In a way it can make you the best artist you can be,
because there's nothing—such as poor lighting or unreliable
photos—skewing your vision. In our free eBook
Oil Painting Techniques:
24 Tips to Learn How to Paint a Plein Air Landscape, artist-instructors
and plein air painters share their unique approaches to how to paint
landscapes. They discuss topics ranging from why watching objects in
motion leads to a better understanding of how shapes, colors, patterns,
and values change, to helpful tips on working with a limited palette,
to how to paint water accurately.
With
Oil Painting Techniques: 24 Tips to Learn How to Paint a Plein Air
Landscape and any one of the
How to Paint books—
Pastels,
Oils, or
Acrylics—you'll be ready to create beautiful works of art en plein air,
while appreciating what the natural world has to offer.
