How to Deal with the Visual Overload, and Feel the Exhilaration of Plein Air Painting

[@imeldaclayfigures4110]

It's pure plesure to see your videos and listen to the way you express your thoughts. Thank you sir. :)

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@ospreys_view4798]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos and always learn something useful. This one has lots of great suggestions. Plein air painting is what got me back into painting, although I never stopped sketching.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm so glad you found it helpful! Great to hear that you do the sketches!

[@cindorcatnip]

Thank you so much for sharing so generously your knowledge! I enjoy every video and I´m very grateful for all the tips. Looking forward to your next video!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you found it helpful

[@evandegenfelder4554]

Can't thank you enough for this video, Ian. I remember when this was originally aired and I was so taken with the Soltek easel! It was, just as you said, "unavailable", and very expensive, but I was determined to save for it. That fell by the wayside (surprise, surprise) and with this reminder, I went to look it up again. STILL "unavailable", still very expensive, but I've signed up to be alerted when it's back in stock. I haven't painted en plen air since a few years after college, but I really want to. This has served as a reminder, so thank you. Always FULL of great information!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@simonestreeter1518]

Sharing this distillation of all your years of experience is such an incredible gift. Thank you for your generosity. This is truly rare.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful

[@mariehamm]

Merci beaucoup Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@sylvain_st_pierre_2019]

Never get tired of visioning your videos. Thanks so much for publishing theses.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@christinejones7522]

Hello from Cyprus 🇨🇾 Thank you for all of your experience and advice. You are truly a creative minimalist with focus. Great to have your time and so grateful for the magic. ❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

So glad you found it helpful.

[@frankbeveridge5714]

Good to see you back. My man!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@c.reyesc.6709]

I always was amazed on how painters can get over the huge universe on a little canvas. Now I¨m trying to build a viewfinder to reduce the noise. Thanks for the tip!!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@skn85]

Good to see you back! 🙌

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@joefenech4527]

Thanks and looking forward for next week

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@kayakiranana6059]

Verrr useful! Keep them coming!😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you found it helpful.

[@janewineinger1569]

Thank you! What a good teacher! I signed up for more of you, Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much. Delighted to hear it!

[@dianah7673]

Excellent video! Thank you for your very insightful comments and comprehensive list of recommendations!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mike-bk2sn]

Thank you, Ian, for you recommendations.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

so glad you found it helpful

[@guizachristiane4824]

Happy to see you.❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@anne-mariez7596]

Very useful recommendations ! Many thanks

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Marynguyen23]

So useful as always Ian 😊 Please keep it up ❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@maryannnash653]

Thank you so much for this wealth of wonderful information!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeannelutzkow2507]

Hi From New Jersey. Thank you so much for sharing all of this.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted you enjoyed it.

[@feelswriter]

Thank you so much. Very clearly explained!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susanproctor7512]

Lots of great ideas, thanks. Can’t wait to try.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@PattyLovell]

Thank you these are so helpful and encouraging.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you like them!

[@debbiekey5255]

Thanks so much for all of this information. Hope to try Plein Air painting, but love your suggestion of trying viewfinder and sketching as first step!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arachosia]

I’m gonna give upgrading a cheap panel a try. Thanks for the informative video, Ian!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dianerose4469]

Once again. Ian, very helpful information. thank you

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@annesaxon4891]

Thanks, Ian. I found these pointers very helpful.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deaconseptember2002]

Thanks so much for these tips. What I've also done is taken a picture mat that sometimes comes with frames and divide it into two pieces such that each piece forms an "L-shape." The two parts can be used to frame out a composition to the desired length and width. The final frame dimensions can be held together with two of those plastic paper clips.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@marywilliamson2559]

Thanks, Maestro Ian, for this video. I used my french easel for years until my grandson removed most of the bolts on it before I went out painting, and then, of course, the whole easel fell into a giant heap on location. Stuff happens in the field, for sure. 😅😅

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

That must have been a big surprise when setting up. Delighted that you enjoyed the video.

[@PatriciaWheeler-iv2bj]

Many thanks for your guidance and advice. Your video is very helpful

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@peggysharrow2312]

Another reason for plein air painting is comradshipe. I have been apinting with a local organization, Vistas and Vineyards, for many years. I have developed friendships and have learned a lot from other painters, workshop teachers and short lessons given four to five times in our painting season. Peggy

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

I'm glad you found a group that is so helpful.

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

Thanks so much!

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful.

[@GrietjeMuda]

Thanks ❤

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful

[@janiceopie234]

Thank you…👍🏻🤗

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Glad it was helpful

[@rebekahaurie6252]

Thank you so much for all your videos! They really are helpful and encouraging. I had one quick question about toning the canvas. If I am working in acrylics, should I still mix the paint with mineral spirits?😊

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Delighted that you found it helpful. With acrylics, you thin with water. Don't use mineral spirits.

[@billolivari3930]

Just so you know, Utrecht is based in Brooklyn, NY since 1949 and they are still in business.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Thanks so much

[@peteonart3842]

Ian, which Canvas paper / pads do you use?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Generally Pete, I don't like canvas pads. I use primed canvas cut to size and sandwich them between to boards when travelling. However if you do use canvas pads I find they all need a couple of coats of gesso (must be acrylic primed canvas) to fill in all the texture. I hate the texture of those pads which is why I don't use them.

[@Dennis-Hare]

You are a very generous, kind man. You are sharing a wealth of information in this video and all your others. Thank you so much. Just one question, when you travel with the loose canvases on top of one another, do they ever adhere to each other?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Dennis, when I travel and will be plein air painting I take a couple of sizes of canvas. Say 8 x 10 and 10 x 12. I cut pieces of canvas 10 x 12 and 12 x 14 prime them and then have two boards say 16 x 20. When I paint I tape (with beige masking tape around all four edges so canvas is very secure on the board. I use Ray Mar boxes when I go out and slide the wet canvas in the box after painting. When I get back to say the hotel room I peel the canvas off and lay it on the floor (or some place safe) . When I am going home I put wax paper between each canvas and sandwich them tight and wrap it with masking tape so it won't shift or check. If the painting was just done the day before there might be some paint transferring to the wax paper. But generally after two days I find they are usually dry enough to do that. Hope that helps.

[@Dennis-Hare]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you, Ian. Wax paper it is then.

[@douglaswilliams5727]

I enjoy your book and instructional videos. I'm a plein air and studio painter. Do you have any tips on how to start offering plein air workshops?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Hi Douglas, as you know there are lots of people giving plein air workshops. Two thoughts. Pull in a group of people local to you and work with them weekly or monthly. Find them say by word of mouth almost. The other is to choose a location everyone wants to go to. I taught workshops in Provence for 25 years for that reason. Hope that helps.

[@douglaswilliams5727]

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition Thank you, Ian. I am currently enjoying a tour on the Rhône, but unfortunately not painting here...

[@philippegivernaud5420]

Bonjour Quels pinceaux me conseillez vous chez Rosemary pour faire de l impressionnisme ? Quelle marque utilisez vous personnellement ? Je ne trouve pas mon bonheur en France. Merci .

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Bonjour Philippe, je dois responder en Angliais. I like the Rosemary Ivory. They are synthetic but I like them. My favorite brushes of all time were French made - Manet. But they went out of business a few years ago. If you can get Rosemary they're fine. Or Escoda hogshair filberts. They are Spanish I think. You should be able to get them in France, Hope that helps.

[@philippegivernaud5420]

Merci beaucoup. ​@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

[@sherylchapman4168]

Such great tips. I like the credit card method of spreading gesso on canvas board. Do you work strictly in oils? I am quite squeamish about using oils because the clean up will be a nightmare and because of the possibility of spontaneous combustion when using turpentine and linseed oil. I will check out your website. If you have any tips to help me work cleanly, I would definitely appreciate it. Thank you.

[@gretchenamirault829]

No need to use linseed oil. I use gamblin solvent free gel as my medium. Not as much smell as linseed either. Odourless mineral spirits for brush clean up. Once in a while they get a good soak in Murphy’s oil soap, which is water based.

[@didgeridooblue]

You can use safflower/clove oil to keep your brushes from drying out. No mineral spirits needed.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

HI Sheryl, I use Gamsol which is pretty non toxic. Not completely but low toxicity. I have put used paper towels (used with mineral spirits) in waste baskets for decades and never had any problem. I do put the waste basket outside after painting just because all that mineral spirit is evaporating and seems smarter to have that go on outside rather than in the studio. If you can get Gamsol and use a disposable latex glove on the hand that holds the paper towel and therefore the one touching the mineral spirits you'll probably be OK. I suppose people have different reactions to the solvents. But hopefully that should work.

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Didn't read your comment before replying.

[@terryh3689]

I have trouble seeing the colors on my palette and canvas accurately due to glare, even sitting under an awning. How do you deal with this?

[@IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Terry, if you have wet oil paint and bright sunshine you usually get glare. It is just a question of taking a step to the left or right, just see it at a different angle, so there is no glare. You don't need to move much. Also you want to have the canvas in shadow. Not in direct sunlight. And of course ideally the palette too. But the canvas for sure. Hope that helps. All the best.