10 Lessons from Plein Air Painting in Europe for 2 Months - Next Studio Sale

[@phillipstroll7385]

Love your work. It's so nice to see traditional almost academic style of art these days.

[@patrickokra]

thank you so much!

[@booshkoosh7994]

Thank you for the lessons! Okrasinski, I admire your composition (and taste in subject matter) very, very much. I really like the fact that you painted the people in these plein air painting as simple shadowy forms; that adds an inexplicably painterly feel and magnitude. Your videos are extremely helpful and completely inspiring. Have a good day, and thanks again!

[@patrickokra]

Thank you!

[@ningjing1113]

the two seascape in the background on your right look really good!🧐

[@patrickokra]

Thanks Ningjing!

[@JillFearon-pd4nu]

Enjoyed the emphasis on lighting and contrast and textures in the light Thanks

[@patrickokra]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chasebindner]

Looks like an incredible adventure!!! Phenomenal work!

[@sharilynnupsdell9195]

I’m fascinated that you could bring back so many oil paintings from a trip. I can’t imagine how they dried enough to pack them in a tight stack. Keeping them apart in panel carriers for weeks of drying would have taken huge mounts of space. Did you do something to speed up your drying time? How long did you leave them separated in panel carriers? And how did you keep the flimsy sheets from bending and touching each other in panel carriers? I’m very interested in travelling with oils, it can’t figure out those logistics. Appreciate whatever you can share.

[@JayDouglas01]

Okay, I just ordered a pad of oil paper for painting. So glad I found your channel.

[@patrickokra]

Happy to help!

[@elysegymer9880]

Amazing! What an inspiration. Living the dream.

[@patrickokra]

thank you, its a blessing

[@o_de_art]

I really really love your attention to details, I started to use this approach at plein air paintings and stopped trying to square the circle in a small 30 per 40 cm)

[@patrickokra]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kayleenwest]

I loved seeing your trip paintings. It’s so exciting to bring back a collection from a trip. I enjoyed the walk through and insight about light and texture. It was nostalgic for me too. I painted in Italy many years ago and it was wonderful.

[@patrickokra]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the kind comment!

[@valterdaroczy151]

the Bologna pictures are fantastically good, the sculptures

[@patrickokra]

Thank you!

[@paintingsofwaves_mikewoning]

Lovely tips, nice and easy video and wow! what a productive trip. I'd love to see where my painting goes if I were to paint 2 months 'straight'... Anyway, 2 thumbs up!

[@julliettecarignan8563]

Thanks for sharing your learnings and paintings! I agree that the Trevi Fountain painting is a real gem.

[@patrickokra]

thank you!

[@aidamarkiw]

Wonderful paintings!

[@patrickokra]

Thank you so much 😀

[@valterdaroczy151]

it's amazing how hardworking you are, I like your work the best, the sketches are all beautiful, good luck! I subscribed, I'm waiting for new videos!

[@patrickokra]

I have a couple in the works, now that I'm done traveling for a bit!

[@eduardocanou]

Great and beautiful works. 😊

[@patrickokra]

Thank you!

[@joywhitley3141]

Beautiful! When you leave the paintings on the table, the lighting is better. When you hold them up, there's a slight glare. We want to see every detail. ❤

[@patrickokra]

Yes, I suppose the light washes them out when holding them too close, sorryyyy

[@joywhitley3141]

@@patrickokra no problem, just thought you'd want to know. They are amazing!

[@annasartvlog]

Really enjoyed the video ❤ The fontains are my favourite 😊 it would be so great if you can explain how to stay detached from the details...

[@patrickokra]

Thank you, I'll try to get to it!

[@amirerfanian4418]

you are a great painter

[@patrickokra]

thanks!

[@RobertKleinSk]

your work is admirable

[@patrickokra]

thank you!

[@davemihalic256]

I laughed when I saw the St. Mark's square teaser when I came across your channel. I appreciate your focus on smaller and it's good advice. But - question - when I was in St. Marks Square, having been told it was okay to paint (plein aire, oils, using tripod to support open box m pallet/easel -- first two, then four carabineiri came up to me and made me stop painting, take down my easel and tripod, and "remove" myself from the corner of the square where two legs of the tripod were on the first step and the third leg on the floor of "the square." They said I could not have an "apparatus" that was "erected" on the square. I packed up and left but wondered, what? Other photographers would set up a tripod and take pictures but at first I thought, that THEY thought I was selling the painting. I showed it to them and didn't argue. Do you think they were looking for a few Euros in a bribe? It just didn't make sense, but wondering if you had that issue, there or anywhere else. Or did you get a permit? And if so, how? It was the first time, having painted en plein air all over Europe that any "police" ever made a big deal about the legality of "setting up" to paint.

[@patrickokra]

No that happened to me too. The photographers are breaking the law as well, but get away with it because they take the photo and keep walking. The rule is no setting up anything in the square- no easels/tripods/stalls/blankets etc. So I came back at 5am when the police were asleep!

[@lisafroment856]

You are an amazing artist!! I love your work and now am following you. Where are these all done on linen sheets of canvas no backing I’m guessing for thin easy to carry surfaces

[@patrickokra]

Many of these were done on Canson Oil Paper

[@ilarikoskimies4]

Yes please for the love of god do develope that Fontana di Trevi painting into a proper big studio piece. I would love to see that!

[@patrickokra]

I did! You can see it on my website or on IG if you scroll back far enough. It now hangs in my dining room in a huge antique frame!

[@ilarikoskimies4]

@@patrickokraI went to have a look at it, Patrick you're a modern day master! I took the liberty of printing out a copy to hang in my studio for inspiration. I've had a dry spell for a few months with painting, but finding your channel has given me the push to get back into it.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

The idea of canvas pad or loose canvas solves a storage problem while camping and painting. How long did it take to dry each one?

[@patrickokra]

In the warmer months maybe 1-3 days. I use a fast drying titanium white (Michael Harding no3) also if you place your painting in the sun for some time, or are painting in the sun, that greatly speeds up the drying time too. In the meantime I have several slots in my panel carriers to dry multiple paintings

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

That’s perfect. I can camp a week in each place. Thank you.

[@geri1864]

Your paintings are awesome. What did you paint them on?

[@patrickokra]

Ah I'm catching up on youtube comments, I actually just released a video today about this exact question! (different trip but same idea)

[@MrDavid650]

love your paintings what are the boards you are using in some of the studies ?

[@patrickokra]

usually glue them onto gatorfoam panels

[@johnk3137]

If you're painting with oil paint while traveling, how do you keep multiple paintings from smearing? I was told it can take days or weeks for oils to dry. I'm use to gouache and watercolors.

[@patrickokra]

I have a video about that, but short answer- fast drying titanium white, panel carrier, oil paper, summer weather. Paintings usually dry between 1-3 days, can store up to 3 (or 6) when wet, after they dry I stack them up

[@ellawoodcock7095]

Do you have any tips for choosing references and what to paint? I often get artists block because I get overwhelmed trying to find something to paint or draw. And I love your work!

[@patrickokra]

Thanks! This might not be the answer you're looking for, but I'd recommend forgetting the idea of photo reference and going out and being inspired by the real world. But even then I know the feeling of having a hard time to find something to paint and draw... finding good compositions is a skill to be trained

[@ellawoodcock7095]

@@patrickokra That does help, thanks! I’ll probably try taking my art supplies out of my house to go paint something soon when I find some time.

[@BruceHeller24]

What are you painting on?

[@patrickokra]

Most of these painting are on oil paper, some canvas. It makes traveling much easier, I mount them onto a rigid board when I return home. I have another video breaking down how I pack my paint gear for traveling 💁‍♂️

[@BruceHeller24]

@@patrickokra sounds good. Great work. I was following your trip on Instagram. Keep up the good work, man!

[@patrickokra]

Thank you- really appreciate it! 🙏🙌

[@adolfshitler8908]

@@patrickokra can you explain how u mount them onto a board exactly

[@JayDouglas01]

@@patrickokra So glad I found this! I'm so sick of rough, cheap canvas boards!

[@JaredLee-i1w]

Hi, Let me ask you a question. What campus did you use? I would like to know what campus name you used.

[@patrickokra]

Hi, not sure I understand?

[@JaredLee-i1w]

@@patrickokra Where did you paint? Did you paint on a paper campus?

[@fromeveryting29]

Yo, what does your colour palette look like?

[@patrickokra]

Gotta make a video on that soon

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Are these your prints? Or original?

[@patrickokra]

theyre all original paintings!