Artists' Preparation for Plein Air Painting
Practical Guide and Materials Needed for Oil Sketching out of Doors
Jun 15, 2009
Painting the landscape from life forces the artist the work quickly and make instinctive choices regarding colour-mixing and application. This can in turn inject freshness and vibrancy into the painting. But how does one prepare the materials for such a jaunt?
Equipment Needed for Painting Outside in the Countryside
The beauty spot sought will inevitably be located off the beaten track. Such places such as Haystacks in Buttermere or Alcock Tarn in Grasmere are two such examples, although painting in tourist areas such as Stratford on Avon can add challenge. Ensuring the equipment is compact and light is the essence.
Consider the Following Equipment When Painting the Landscape on Site.
- A sturdy, roomy rucksack.
- A compact collapsible stool (Fig 1). Alternatively, the artist might use what is available, such as a tree stump or outcrop. A polystyrene foam pad will cushion the posterior and insulate body heat.
- Short-handled brushes are more practical than the long ones. Two sized 3 round sable brushes are suitable for detail and soft blending. Two or more flat bristle brushes approximately 1-2cm in width are ideal for broader areas of paint such as skies and fields.
- Clearing away a used palette in the countryside is a messy business. A better idea is to fasten a sheet of cling film or similar over a stiff surface and to secure it with 4 bulldog clips. When the palette is finished with, it can be folded inwards and screwed up into a disposable ball. A fresh sheet can then be used for the next painting. Fig 3 shows such a palette.
- Artboards no larger than 10 x 14in (25.5 x 35.5cm) means that they can be carried easily across the countryside. Primed MDF or hardboard is ideal and is cheap. Avoid using stretched canvas, as it is awkward to carry if the paint is wet.
- A painting travel box (Fig 4). This is a contraption that will enable the artist to store away completed oil paintings without them getting ruined during transit. Making one is easy and cheap.
- Plenty of rags.
- A small bottle of artist’s white spirits.
- A bar of soap.
- A plastic bag for the disposal of rubbish.
- The artist’s personal requirements such as sunhat, sunblock, insect cream and tissues.
- And of course the artist’s lunch. A flask of tea always comes in handy.
What Paints to Use When Sketching On Location
38 ml (1.25 US fl.oz) tubes of paint will take little room. Fig 2 demonstrates that several tubes of this size will fit snugly inside a large Tupperware box amongst other materials. It is wise to stick to the essential pigments. The French Impressionist Monet sometimes used a mere three colours and white for his outdoor paintings.
However, in this case, the pigments that might be recommended are: Lemon yellow, cadmium yellow (pale), cadmium red, permanent rose, French ultramarine, Pthalo blue, viridian, burnt sienna, burnt umber and a larger tube of Titanuim white. These pigments will produce any colour mixture required. Daler Rowney and Winsor & Newton are recommended producers of artist’s paint.
Mobile Artist's Studio Made Simple
Painting plein air need not involve carrying bulky materials. In fact, everything, including the artist’s lunch can easily be stored in one roomy rucksack. A little thought and preparation is all that is needed. This “mobile studio” can easily be stored away in the garage and taken out at will. Painting plein air can be an exhilarating experience and one that can also be addictive.
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