★ i SUCK at plein air painting ★

[@katiec1623]

What I found to be interesting is that Plein Air is just to get a quick painting down and do a full detail painting back in the studio. ❤ I also found using watercolors (and watersoluable pencils) pretty useful as well. HAVE FUN😊

[@stroodledoodles]

Most plein air artists that I follow (such as Leslie Stroz and James Gurney) either set up in the shade or just sit in their cars + paint, that way they don't have to worry about the sun/heat as much! Also using fast drying mediums is key. Still though your paintings came out great despite the troubles you had!

[@leeanne5111]

it would be really interesting to see you try it again but without the camera! just spend a day at the beach or wherever u wanna go and paint! i think the pressure of making a "good" video may be getting you too in your head which makes total sense. i would love to see what u create when u don't feel as pressured! good luck!!

[@katsartjourney]

I struggle with it as well. I found that making my set up as simple as possible made it way more fun. I ted to now use it for capturing shapes and colours and then bring it back home and do a final piece at home rather than do a final piece outside. Outside is for study, home is for finals for me

[@alexateurcat]

I'm so scared to draw in public...it's so awkward when youre trying to draw someone and they notice or people come up behind you lol

[@katalinelo8011]

@@alexateurcat it's not so scary. I do it regularly. Although I usually just sketch, one pencil only. Start with places people kinda expect it, like museums and exhibitions, parks, zoos, botanical gardens. And don't go alone, take a friend, family member, join a group (urban sketching groups are usually very welcoming and supportive). I live in a city where art on the streets is an everyday experience, music, singing, painting, sketching, nobody raises an eyebrow as long as you don't block the way. Most people tend to mind their own business anyways, not really interested in what others do. (If it is any indication, I'm extremely introverted, and hate to be the centre of attention. But I still sketch in public, it took a while, but I really like it now.)

[@trashmonkey2105]

I was drawing in the late evening in public in a very touristy area and someone turned on their flashlight to look at my sketchbook over my shoulder. LOL

[@katalinelo8011]

​@@trashmonkey2105 oh my, some people are really unhinged! I prefer daylight so the maximum interaction is a bit of small talk. Once there was a guy apologising for blocking my view as he realised I was sketching trees in the forest. Sometimes people are asking if I am a real artist (meaning living exclusively from selling paintings). I never ever had any rude comments so far, nor have people bothered me while sketching, maybe a side eye, peeking into the sketchbook with an "oh that's lovely", occasionally a question or two.

[@trashmonkey2105]

​@@katalinelo8011I enjoy drawing in public and/or drawing from life! Honestly, the compliments I get from random people probably stroke my ego a little too much lol

[@katalinelo8011]

@@trashmonkey2105 I don't think a brief "oh that's nice" is a sincere compliment. It's just small talk. Doesn't happen very often as most people really don't care why a girl sitting there with a sketchbook. It was just one time in the natural history museum, where I was sketching a caveman-model, that a random tourist came up asking if she can photograph me sketching there because she found it interesting. Other than that, people are just passing by. Sometimes kids are curious and come closer to look, but their parents are usually immediately intercepting them with "don't disturb the lady". I always tell that I don't mind, and encourage kids to ask anything they want to know.

[@wingedcanvas]

I honestly loved that thumbnail! 16:00

[@hollyexley]

I feel you on the stress of filming whilst making art. I resent it sometimes honestly! But content creation is a necessary part of surviving as an artist so.... I sometimes dont film the process, just the end results and I think that can be just as interesting to watch. You dont have to show the process, especially if it risks your equipment and hinders you concentration/flow (as it does with me)

[@hollyexley]

Your chatting about how you were setting up, how you were getting on, your thoughts on the results was just as interesting as the process shots.

[@Lilstarnerd]

it really is such a pain!! that's a good point, a little before and after or a "reveal" video could be just as fun!!

[@TracieWho]

It takes several times painting in the wild to feel comfortable at what you are doing. Shade is super important in the heat. Try it a few times without filming. You will feel more at ease. I also have dedicated supplies for plein air. I use a limited split primary palette with a couple of convenience colors. I keep a wet gouache palette that lives in my fridge when not in use (to prevent molding), and a watercolor palette. I use either waterbrushes or travel brushes depending on what I am doing. Waterbrushes aren't the best but it means I don't have to deal with bringing extra water, a waterpot, and a dirty water container. The most important thing tho is to just keep trying. It will get easier as you figure things out. And as to composition, if you don't want to paint the parking lot, then find a way to get closer to your intended subject, or just leave it out altogether. Try taking a photo of what you want, and crop it how you want it to be. Don't be afraid to use it because sometimes we cant get close enough to see the details we want. BTW, I think you are over critical of your painting. It is progress, not perfection out there!

[@Lilstarnerd]

thanks so much for the advice!!!!

[@letsgetarty]

I think you're doing great for your first time(s)! I do a ton of plein air sketching more than painting (I have a little travel tin of watercolours and water brushes and that's it) and I always change up my media (and paper too - I make my own sketchbooks with different kinds of paper) to keep it interesting and experimental. You could literally just go out with a charcoal stick or some markers or brush pens and see what you make with the limited supplies/colour palette. And don't worry about making super amazing finished pieces on the spot either - if I don't have time I'll usually take a photo and finish it at home. Or I'll make the sketch outside and then come back home to do the painting. It's definitely something to just have fun with! :)

[@ArtofLaraca]

Invest in a UV umbrella that can attach to your chair: Embrace the shadows on your paper; believe it or not the glaring sun on the paper is hard for your eyes but also no matter what you’ll dry like crazy. Also make a dried gouache palette. The process is far less frustrating as it’s already dried and you’ll struggle less: yes it’s still going to patchy-ish but also and I hate to say it: embrace that look. Plein air can be full on finished paintings for some people but I also know maaaaaaany artists who simply use it to create studies to take back to the studio. They don’t have to be “perfect” And as others have said: plein air painting is painting outside. No where have I seen anyone say it HAS to be oil. I have never carried a full on oil set outside: too damn cumbersome and heavy. I use art toolkit folio palettes with watercolour and gouache and a sketchbook. Most importantly. Have fun. It’s so good to get outdoors: see people, nature and be in the world experiencing it through your extremely skilled eyes of an artist. As long as you have fun: don’t worry about the final product. There is certainly no judgement on my behalf! 😊

[@HarleyWithWings]

I was gonna comment, but I think you pretty much covered all of what I was going to say. 😅

[@ArtofLaraca]

@@HarleyWithWings 😂😊😍

[@Lilstarnerd]

thank you so much for the advice!!!!!!

[@jessiecortesart]

Plein air it’s not only for oil painters, you can do it with any medium you like, the thing is to go outside and paint from live, and it’s very challenging! but girl you say you are doing baby steps and next frame is you in direct sunlight! That was another level of difficulty. Sometimes plein air is very rewarding and other times is a nightmare. The weather affects the way you paint! For example I don’t like when it’s cloudy because there’s no shadows and the colors look dull for my taste, or if it’s too humid and I have gouache or watercolors the paper takes long time to dry, or if it’s too hot and want to do some effects with water, maybe that’s gonna be difficult because the paper and the brush dry very quickly. But try to stay in the shadow, direct sunlight hitting the paper affects the way you see colors and textures. The more you practice the more you’re going to enjoy and have fun with te process, the first couple of times it’s hard. You are doing great! 😊

[@Icetalon02]

Honestly super relatable. I need to challenge myself by drawing and painting real life more, but I tend to shy away from it

[@RhomanysRealm]

If you add glycerine to your gouache it won't dry up as fast,. Works best if put into an airtight palette

[@Lilstarnerd]

ooh thanks for the tip!!!

[@juliedrakeArtist]

I use the Lena Rivo approach. She’s a Portuguese artist so she’s used to the heat and she loves working pleine aire in gouache. She has an amazing set up which I use now and it really works. I love it and it makes such a difference if you want to paint pleine aire with gouache. She has a really good course. I’m not sponsored or anything but you can find her online and she has a KZbin channel. You can probably find her set up without paying for it or if you’d like I’ll tell you what my set up is. You’re right about it being hard painting outside and it gets easier the more you do it. Like the beach 😂 I totally agree with you 😊

[@ChantelleArts]

I haven't tried gouache outside yet because it seems so much harder than watercolour pans. You did great, it's all a learning curve ❤

[@ricardodickerson5990]

Great video

[@kathyhackney7950]

All I'm saying is, I would still count it as plein air if you were to do this all from your air conditioned vehicle. Also, I like the loose look of your underpainting ❤

[@ArtofLaraca]

Btw: you REALLY didn’t suck at plein air painting: 90+ degrees, blaring hot sun and you stayed out in that for two paintings. Kind of bad ass actually.

[@Lilstarnerd]

omg thank you lol!!!!!!

[@WindspielArt]

I think you did great! And please stop saying that its not "true" plein air because its not oil, thats not true! plein air litteraly means "outside" - and you did that! you painted outside and not in your studio/atelier so its plein air, no matter the medium! The only reason many plain air paintings from the "old masters" are in oil is, that it was the medium that was easy available (and the invention of paint in tubes made carrying them so much easier).

[@cartermusic2020]

Enjoying the video thoroughly and also…knee highlight poppin 👍

[@sizohmthethwa]

❤❤❤

[@scarletisbell8520]

I agree, it's hotter than Satan's ass crack in the South right now. My paint buddy and I have to get out early like early early. Also scout out your location the day before so you know exactly where you want to be. Enjoy ❤