Plein Air Oil Painting during Golden Hour on the Beach - Process and Tips

[@stukennedy195]

I love how your camera angle perfectly lines up your horizon with the real one, such a great way to demo a plein air, it’s like you’re cleaning a window to reveal the scene. Great work. Loving this style.

[@patrickokra]

Thank you!

[@nancytipton2640]

You are not only a talented painter but also a very talented poetic orator…😊

[@patrickokra]

Thank you so much!

[@DannySabraArt]

Great painting and commentary Patrick!

[@patrickokra]

Thanks- appreciate it!

[@janetogren287]

This is so peaceful but also instructive, makes me want to do this too, and to line up the canvas with the ocean, Brilliant!

[@GabrielFineArt]

Keep these coming! Great vid and commentary.

[@patrickokra]

Appreciate it!!

[@jocelynpryor5370]

I think I remember reading about impressionistic plein air art in that the painters of that time were all about capturing fleeting moments of light and shadow and how the colors and shapes play with one another... Since it's impossible to capture what is truly there as the wind blows through the trees, waves crash upon the shore, the sun moves across the sky, etc. how do you choose what parts you want to capture - is it through practice that you begin to have photographic memory, or do you quickly sketch/paint down the parts of that landscape that you want onto the canvas right then and there... Or is it a little bit of both? Love watching your process videos, by the way! They help so much!

[@patrickokra]

Thank you! Selection is tough, especially as things come and go so fast. Generally, I try to decide on the light effect that I want to capture first, and then capture details after. Light effect wise it can either be a situation where i am expecting it to change, or I see it and its gone, then I try to capture the light and use my memory to not ruin it as i keep filling in information after the effect is gone

[@jerryseaton5239]

You Might check out Charles Hawthorne Henry Hensche Cape cod school of art

[@paulfogarty7724]

That's the usual impression of impressionists, out there capturing the " moment" however Monet for example, sometimes spent months on a single painting - in his studio, until a colourful crust of paint had built up. Same for Van Gogh. You can tell their paintings were not finished in one sitting.

[@dawnreardon67]

Very calming to listen to and watch. I’m curious about your plain air set up

[@patrickokra]

I have some other videos for that!

[@paulperry8614]

Very enjoyable video you have a clear explanation of your process thanks for posting.

[@patrickokra]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcjasi]

Nice video and painting!

[@patrickokra]

Thank you!

[@marlan6431]

Thank you! Enjoyed this!!

[@patrickokra]

Thank you!!

[@bethscanlon7791]

Thanks so much for this. Beautiful work and very helpful tips!

[@patrickokra]

Thanks!

[@JustinMcKinneyhiker]

I stumbled on your channel. Great work and explanations of your process !! Thanks for sharing !!

[@patrickokra]

Glad you like the videos, thanks!!!

[@живописьирисунок.МаксимУстинов]

👍👍👍

[@patrickokra]

🙌🙌🙌

[@pedropedro8679]

great video!!

[@patrickokra]

Thank you!

[@felipefernandezcruzat9956]

Thank you for the video! Beautiful work as always

[@patrickokra]

Thanks Felipe, appreciate it🙌

[@thanekaivels312]

Patrick thank you for sharing your wonderful insights buddy ! Could you tell us more about your easel setup ? I'm amazed at the portability and ease of carrying it and using it for painting . Thank you

[@patrickokra]

Thanks! I actually have another video on my channel that basically covers the same set up- titled what I packed for backpack and painting for europe. I have other heavy duty easels, but I like this compact set up a lot! Hope it helps!

[@kingy2063]

Hi Patrick, very enjoyable video as always.I'm assuming the inside of your box is replaceable, just wondered what you use.Many thanks.

[@patrickokra]

Hi- it’s not actually, it’s just the wood of the box. It’s the same plywood as the outside or the top. Overtime you build up a nice patina. I have more photos and details of it on my website patrickokrasinski.com

[@kingy2063]

Ah I see, many thanks for the reply, will take a closer look on your website.@@patrickokra

[@TheJasonheinze]

Great video - lots of helpful information. One question: when I don’t use an umbrella, I find that my paintings appear too dark when viewed inside. How do you avoid this?

[@patrickokra]

I try to only keep the light at maybe a 10-15 degree angle, that way there isn't too much light on the surface and it doesnt throw my values off too much

[@TheJasonheinze]

@@patrickokra Thanks so much for replying! I know you must super busy so I do appreciate it 🙂 I'll try that next time I go out 👍 Keep up the awesome work!

[@JordiBartoll]

Very nice! I'm planning to go plein air painting with oil but I would like to know how do yo carry your panels or paper in this case?... Especially when they are wet. Thank you and congratulations for the beautiful painting!

[@patrickokra]

Thanks! I have a panel carrier I built for myself- i show it in the video of how I packed to backpack Europe (mostly the same equipment for any day painting back home)

[@JordiBartoll]

Ok! Thank you Patrick!

[@mcaputto]

Do you primarily work in sight size for most of your paintings?

[@patrickokra]

No- I actually rarely use it now a days

[@mcaputto]

What size panel do you normally use for plein air?

[@patrickokra]

9x12s usually

[@petersenesac8102]

Hi I just found you. I like your explanation of your process (so far I've only had time for 2) . In this one I noticed you really use a lot of gray and it looks so natural. It looks like there was white in every mix as well. I'm sometimes afraid of white (drying time and chalkiness) and try to use yellow as much as possible but my paintings come out dark especially plein air. I have to get over that. How do you avoid that when the sun is directly on your painting? Do your paintings look dark when you get them in the house?

[@patrickokra]

Yes, its very difficult to manage light on your canvas. What I like to do is have it at a very sharp angle - direct light will totally blast your painting into darkness, but if your canvas is angled I think that is a happy medium. If it makes sense, keep the paint surface at around a 30 degree angle from the direction of light. Planes turning away from the light become darker! Alternatively, if you paint with your surface in shadow, say with an umbrella, then it will definitely not be dark!

[@petersenesac8102]

@@patrickokra thanks. I'll try that

[@saltlifegull4091]

Question: If you paint on paper, do you have to use glass when framing?

[@patrickokra]

I just mount the paper to panels and it'll be fine! the oil is much more robust than watercolor or gouache