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Plein air painting

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 0 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #5783 in Arts & Lit, #122092 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

What is plein air?

 

What the heck is plein air painting you ask? Well plein air is a French term and it basically means in the open air. Its a method of painting, or drawing on site.

Many master artists of yesteryear did it to study. Since they didn't have photography they learned to recreate their landscapes and figures by studying them outside in their natural environment.

Plein air painting primarily is a study of light. Paintings are done quite quickly, two hours at the maximum, in order for the painter to capture the correct shades and tones and temperature of the shadows and how the rays of the sun fall upon the objects that they paint. It's tricky and often difficult to learn and master but its extremely rewarding. The knowledge gained from outside painting is applied to studio work as well.

Today plein air painting is popular and exciting. Artists from all over the world will gather in certain designated locations and camp, paint together, show their work and sell to tourists and art collectors.

If you're an artist looking to advance your knowledge let me suggest learning the art of plein air painting. Nothing helps you to see color better and more accurately than being in the elements and learning to paint light.

Daffodils 

Daffodils painted while it's snowing.

We went up to Skagit county a couple of weeks ago, a few of us brave souls, to paint the fields of daffodils. Despite the miserable weather, the lovely flowers never dimmed in beauty!

I painted this with a palette knife, a technique I learned a few years ago which is called 'impasto'. I chose this techique this time because it gets the paint on nice and thick and quickly. My fingers were getting numb in no time and I was getting wet!

How do I get started? 

Plein air Painters

There are so many thing involved that the first recommendation I have is to hook up with a plein air painting group. I would Google plein air in your area. From there you can learn about equipment, good places to start and techniques. Workshops too will help you get started. Its really fun to paint outside with others!

Some of my work on CafePress 

Lighthouse Note Cards (Pk of 10)

Whidbey Island

Price: 14.99

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Vineyard Vista Postcards (Package of 8)

Vineyard on Bainbridge Island Plein air

Price: 10.99

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Great Stuff on Amazon about Plein Air Painting 

These books will definitely give you a head start!

I love reading about Plein air painting. It helps so much to discover the many ways that other artists tackle the problem of an overwhelming landscape and changing light. To begin your adventures, pick up one of these books. Kevin Macphearson's Landscape Painting Inside and Out is an excellent choice!

On Location - Plein Air Painting In Pastel

Amazon Price: $18.47 (as of 09/06/2008)

Land & Light Workshop - Capturing the Seasons in Oils (Land & Light Workshop)

Amazon Price: $19.13 (as of 09/06/2008)

The Art of Impressionism: Painting Technique and the Making of Modernity

Amazon Price: $57.60 (as of 09/06/2008)

Plein Air Painting in Watercolor & Oil

Amazon Price: (as of 09/06/2008)

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DianneG

About DianneG

Hello world! Welcome to my lens. I'm an artist really trying to reach out to folks with my art. I paint specifically in oil and my forte is portraits although I do a lot of figurative and plein air work as well.

I love the old masters both representational and impressionism and my work is a mix of both. Sometimes I use the grisalle technique and sometimes I paint alla prima. It mostly depends on my subject matter and the mood I am attempting to recreate.

I work from life whenever I can. Friends and I get together and hire models or I paint en plein air, which is painting on site.

I never trace or use a grid as is so popular theses days. I find for myself true art is developing the eye-hand relationship. The skill is, to me, developing the ability to see accurately and then to write what I see on canvas. I guess I come from the old school!

I currently have been visiting Civil War reenactments and am doing a series of Civil War paintings. While some artists boast on historical accuracy, I find myself emphasizing emotional historical accuracy, hoping to express the human feelings acquainted with this country's civil war.

For three years I was the resident artist of Washington State Renaissance Faire, painting 20 minute portraits as my clients pose. My goal is to go on to a more refined career of portrait painting.

I am always looking for venues and galleries to show my work so if you know of any gallery that my work might fit well in, let me know. You can see my website and more of my work at http://gardnersart.com

Thanks for visiting and drop me a line if you will.

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