5 Days of Pleinair (pictured in order from day 1 to 5)
Added 2020-07-13 20:13:10 +0000 UTCPleinair painting is, simply put, painting outdoors. In the 19th century, it became really popular with the Impressionist movement. Like Van Gogh or Monet, for example.
I thought this would be an interesting challenge for me. It was!
The challenges:
Weather is a factor. I'd intended to start on Monday of last week, but it was an overcast and then rainy day. When the weather is permitting, it can become a hot, sticky, and buggy experience very quickly. An additional challenge is moving all the equipment and paint supplies necessary. Camera, tripod, easel, paints, canvas, water, and brushes. There are little pleinair easels available that fold super small and include a box for brushes and paint. I don't have one, but I didn't go far! Just into the lovely green of the backyard!
What I learned:
The light of day changes so quickly! I had to work quickly. Standing in the shade of a big tree while painting the sunny garden felt wonderful, but did not aide my color choices. They were just off. Painting in the same light as the scene I'm painting is essential. Another lesson learned is that I cannot pay the same amount of detail as I do to in studio paintings.
I think that day 4 is my favorite painting of these. What do you think?
