Plein Air Painting: Let’s Discover the Beauty of Nature Together
Simply grab a few paints, a field easel, and head out to create freely in any corner of the beautiful countryside. Don’t forget quality brushes and palette knives, a palette made of natural wood, and plenty of enthusiasm.
A Little History
Plein air painting means painting outdoors, in the open air, directly in front of the landscape you want to paint. The term also refers to a painting created through this artistic practice. The art movement that emphasizes plein air painting is called plein-airism.
This technique was especially popular during the Realist and Impressionist periods. Its practitioners included Eugene Boudin, Robert Clunie, and Vincent van Gogh. You can be one of them, too!
In earlier landscape painting, artists painted “from memory” in the studio, or worked from sketches. But in the 19th century, artists began painting directly outdoors. This was made possible by the revolutionary invention of the so-called field easel. This made it much easier to capture impressions and feelings inspired by the landscape around the artist. It’s no wonder that plein air painting quickly became popular and has remained so to this day.
Plein Air Painting Supplies
Today, nothing is stopping painters and artists from picking up their art set in a carrying case and setting off to find the most beautiful scenes in nature, ready to be captured on canvas. Find a spot in the woods or a meadow, set out your paint cups, and let your imagination run free. Enjoy the atmosphere and the scent of the woods or meadow, and capture on canvas the moments that catch your eye.
Having trouble deciding which shades to choose for your plein air painting? Of course, it’s hard to bring along a palette of hundreds of unique tones. A few basic shades are all you need to mix every color found in nature.
Beginners can make do with classic acrylic paints, though they dry faster outdoors. More experienced artists often reach for oil paints when painting outside. Pack some basic shades and a few interesting ones in green, brown, or yellow tones.
If you want to make your painting in nature truly eco-friendly, choose natural paints.
It’s All a Matter of Perspective
Feel like experimenting? Look at nature with your heart, not your eyes. With this perspective, you can create abstract, monochromatic, or truly bold and colorful paintings en plein air. Basically, all you need is what fits in your easel case. Then just let your imagination take over and enjoy the atmosphere of the great outdoors as your hands paint breathtaking scenes.
I hope you find a place nearby filled with genuine inspiration from nature.
Yours, Majka