Plein Air Painting in Cambridge England

In this latest adventure, we take a trip North of London to beautiful Cambridge, England. This was back in September when the weather was warm, the grass was dry, and it was safer to travel by public transportation. We’ve since been hunkering down, so making these videos has been a soul-nourishing way to help us remember that there is a big beautiful world out there waiting to be explored!
Original music by Patrick Ross aka PattyMalarkey
/ @pattymalarkey628
Lindsey’s website - www.lindseykustusch.com
Lindsey’s Instagram - / lkustusch
Nate’s Instagram - / n8drss

[@petermurphy9968]

Lindsey's painting is a little gem, yes Nate sometimes paintings don't always go to plan. Claude Monet quite a few times threw his canvas painting and easel into the river, sulked in his studio for days and wouldn't come out, and when he did he would apologise to his wife saying " You know what I'm like" then he would go back to the river to fish his easel and canvas out of the water to start again.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Peter! And yes, sometimes the painting doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to, but its all part of the process.

[@atravelinman]

Enjoying the videos while I take up a new medium, gouache. I grew up in Suffolk and Essex. If you are looking for less urban places to paint near by may I suggest Dedham, where Constable painted. There is also Finchingfield and Lavenham--quintessentially English and tons of subject matter. Unfortunately what makes them special is they are off the beaten path. You can get close to these by train then it's either a bus or taxi for a few miles. Would make a great plein-air adventure!

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks for the suggestions Gary! We are going to start painting and filming again soon so we will look at these places you mentioned. Off the beaten path and quintessentially English? That's exactly what we are looking for. Have a great day!

[@sorenutube]

Only thing I miss in this great video is a closer impression of the centerpart of the landscape/buildings etc., in order to get a more clear notion of what the details are in the centerpart/background - and I´m not talking about the painting. The human eye, in many cases, is a lot more sensitive than a wide angel camera lens, so sometimes you need to press the zoom button - if there is one of course - to actually capture what you see. But again, bottom line - you did a great job!

[@CedricWilliamsFineArt]

It is difficult going in without a plan, I solute you for trying. I'm up for the challenge!!🔥🔥🔥

[@artbykcappadona5166]

Let Nate talk too lol. Enjoyed it guys. I’ll be looking for the next one. I wouldn’t have minded seeing your struggles Nate, because that’s how we all learn. Beautiful painting Lindsey.

[@1Thedairy]

What a lovely couple! It was a joy to watch. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks for watching!

[@peterfrost5475]

I enjoyed that video, Cambridge is so interesting. Lindsey's painting looked good. To get one out of ten outdoor paintings is my score and sometimes you get a run of three, but it is so important as you say to get out there and paint, thanks you gave me a lots of tips. Keep safe

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Peter! Nate here. I couldn't agree more. Its so important to just get out there and paint even if it doesn't turn out.

[@agustinvisca]

thanks for the beautiful video! maybe if you like you can share with us the list of tips you have near your artwork Lindsey =)

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

We will! It’s basically just a list of things to think about when plein air painting.

[@agustinvisca]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007 thank you!!! =)

[@CedricWilliamsFineArt]

Great video everyone 👍🏾

[@scottydont7904]

I went out on Martin Luther King day in upstate new york , wind blowing cold wandered through a couple fields, set up only to realize i didnt have my paints. Never again! But i still enjoyed just being outside.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Oh no! That has happened to me before as well and it’s a bummer. At least you got outside and hiked around. It’s still worth it just for that

[@spacewavecr]

Wow Lindsey. Great painting. It would be nice if you would've taken a close up picture of it :)

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks!! If you scroll to the very end of the video you can see a closeup version

[@spacewavecr]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007 Oh. I missed that :)

[@PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower]

Love the clouds also, You guys are awesome🎨👍

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks!

[@Davinci3211]

I’ve been inspired to give en pleine air a go by watching lots of videos of American artists as no British popped up but was frustrated so it was wonderful to come across your video. I keep setting a day to go out and paint but feel too nervous to do it - thank you for showing that it sometimes doesn’t work out but keep going - I’ve subscribed :-)

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Hi! Nate here. I know it's intimidating to plein air paint. Every time I go out to paint it's intimidating and only about half of my paintings turn out. I would suggest starting small like maybe a simple garden scene, tree, or even a still-life set up outside away from crowds of people. This way you can build up the habit without the added pressure of having people come around and bother you.

[@bonniemoore7757]

Thanks for the great video! Beautiful painting Lindsey! Also reassuring for newbies like me to hear that even far more experienced artists sometimes have off days.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Bonnie. Nate here. I have plenty of off days, so you are not alone in your journey. Its all about just getting out there and giving it a shot. If it turns out, awesome! if not... still awesome! because you are learning something you will use in your next painting.

[@markhamilton8491]

Really enjoying your videos, thanks so much for taking the time to explain. I have been selling illustrations for a number of years but these have been done digitally. Seeing your videos has encouraged to have a go in the real world!

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Glad you like the videos Mark! I highly encourage you to get out there and paint. I promise you will gain a lot from the experience.

[@krzysztofskorupinski3296]

Today's word I learned in English is worth it. I am glad that it was also worth waiting for your next film. Since my last commentary a lot has happened to my step towards painting. My Christmas gift is a set of brushes, paints and a handmade easel. I am more and more happy that you have inspired me to do it. Thank you and I look forward to your next painting challenges. I greet you warmly.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks for the kind words Krzysztof! I am so happy to hear you got brushes, paints, and and easel, and that you are starting on your painting journey! It's important to understand this is a long journey so be patient with yourself.

[@krzysztofskorupinski3296]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007 Thank you for this advice after just these two weeks I could see that it is helpful. But all hands on deck. I won't give up so easily. I will continue this journey I know that the ship has just left the port. I hope that you too will continue your adventure with You Tube. Thank you for your time.

[@veronicagreen6180]

Great video ,I just started to go out and paint,it’s sooo overwhelming,,,,I’m glad to hear it ok to fail,well like you said it’s a learning experience,,,you two look so happy ,,,thanks and take care....

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

It is very overwhelming, but just go slow, take some deep breaths when you get flustered and make sure you are having fun! That is the key, have fun.

[@LearningPleinAir]

I love the light on the clouds and your choices in composition- thanks again!

[@daleshawn1910]

Love your videos and the information. Good to know your paintings aren’t always perfect. Reminds me to have a plan and follow through.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Nate here. It’s good to have a plan no matter what, even if it’s just some mental notes. I didn’t even do that, so I had to scrap the painting. Such a good learning experience.

[@doughilborn9447]

Awesome as always. Good to know they do not always turn out.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Doug. They don't always turn out, but its important just to get out there and give it your best shot. You will learn something no matter what

[@walterhundt]

Really enjoying your videos-lots of great tips and insight. Thanks for sharing.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Walter!

[@joakimbergstrom4347]

Great to watch. Sorry to hear you wipe out the painting. Classic. I normally block in the painting in those situations too, so I have a sketch, if I'm too "reckless" not to sketch it out first. Normally I wipe out the sketch two or three times off the panel. Just a "rule of thumb" or whatever.. Wasn't my point to be preachy. I enjoyed the video. Hope to see more! Thanks!

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Joakim! Nate here. We are planning on putting out a new videos soon. Spring is in the air so we are looking forward to getting out there to paint!

[@joakimbergstrom4347]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007 Nice. Same here, excited for spring, had a lovely winter though, so that was cool. But yeah, spring baby! Happy painting

[@zummimwaheed1990]

Thanks so much for sharing these videos with us. Great advice at the end, I'm inspired!

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad our video could provide some inspiration!

[@jerrymishler1399]

I appreciate how you share your talent - and the decision-making involved. Sometime I would love to hear your respective palettes. Thanks much!

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Jerry we will make sure to talk about our palettes in some upcoming vids. The next two that will be shared were filmed back in September, so when we start shooting new vids we will talk about our setup and palettes.

[@LouisPhilippeStLaurent]

Wow... Starting at 9:43 this is a MASTER CLASS on plein air painting. Thank you so much to you two. You are always so inspiring.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks so much Louis-Philippe! Its just important to get out there and paint not matter how it turns out.

[@momopaints]

Lovely painting. And great advice. I would love to know more of your all’s story. Where your from, why your there, how you met, what you all do there. Maybe you could do a video on just that? Or studio tour and work?

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks so much! Nate here. We met in 2003 in art school in San Francisco and became good friends right away. We moved into a tiny apartment in Hayes Valley San Francisco in 2006 and Lindsey started her painting journey from our kitchen. I am a full time animator for my day job, and I started painting 5 years ago and fell in love with it and paint every weekend and as many week nights as I can. I took a job in London Nov of 2019 in hopes to have European painting adventures, but we have decided to scale back on the travel due to the pandemic. There is plenty to paint in London and the surrounding areas, and since its all new to us we love it. The youtube channel is just another way for us to be creative and share our little painting journey with y'all!

[@momopaints]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007 awesome! Thanks for responding! You guys are definitely inspiring. I love that you just find “common or ordinary scenes” but make them lovely. And, as in this video, it doesn’t always work out. I’m a beginner in plein air and it’s harder than it looks, but it is comforting to know that some days it just doesn’t work out. Not many artist will admit that. Stay safe out there and stay creative! Love from Missouri!

[@theartgirl777]

Awwwww, the two of you are so cute! Nate, better luck next time, we win some, we loose some...but we can gripe about it and move on...ugggg...Good Attitude!!! Love that 💗

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks Michelle! Nate here. You are exactly right. Just enjoy the experience and move on. No time to gripe..... even tho there is a lot of that going on behind the scenes.

[@theartgirl777]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007, for sure and you are both filming at the same time...I know ...it puts a kink in the FLOW. The whole creative process is lifting others up!!! Job well done 👍

[@zara2438]

This was so interesting to watch, I'm 15 and studying your work for my Fine Art GCSE and I was just writing my essay on your "Inside the dragon gate" piece when this was uploaded. Your such a skilled painter I hope I can become as good one day.

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks so much!

[@cassiuskamdyn4413]

i realize it's quite off topic but does anybody know of a good website to stream new movies online ?

[@ThePaintingStoof]

awesome job! love how it turned out during your plein air session! new to your channel :)

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks!

[@40bdg]

Sorry your painting didn't turn out, but it is nice to know even realkymgood artist can have off days too. 😉 I haven't done plein air yet, but plan to when spring comes around. How do you get past the discomfort , if you had that, of people walking by and looking at your painting while working on it and feel like you're being judged?

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Nate here. Its great when a painting turns out, but if it doesn't, oh well. At least you have learning something that you can use and apply to future paintings. When you start painting outside, you will definitely attract people and sometimes they want to talk. I have never had a bad experience, and they are always encouraging and nice. I really enjoy it, and no matter how bad my painting is, most people don't paint so to them its a masterpiece!

[@brianlawson2054]

I’ve seen the little paper on Lindsey’s easel. It looks like bullet points, maybe reminders of the process? I’m curious, what is on that little sheet?

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Hi Brian. Nate here. Yep, they are plein air painting bullet points. I was using that easel when Lindsey and I did our first plein air competition, and I put that sheet on there to help me when I get flustered... which is at least once or twice every time I paint on location. When I feel like I'm losing control of the painting, the cheat sheet helped me to stay on track.

[@spacewavecr]

Aha, there we go :)

[@spacewavecr]

I don't remember if I asked this, but where you guys working in England, and if so, how is the lockdown affecting you?

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

We recorded most of these videos in August and September so Covid wasn’t very bad out here then, and it was much safer to travel around. Not so now, it’s out of control here and we are going back into lockdown.

[@spacewavecr]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007 Oh. How is all this making you feel? You ok?

[@braddutson3559]

Lindsey: Great video and beautiful painting. The composition is amazing and the overall tone is lovely. Any chance you can share your notes taped to your easel? Just curious to see if they are notes that you reference from time to time. Nate: I appreciate your candid analysis of your experience. Do you think being humble and honest with yourself has played a key role in helping you grow as an artist or do you feel like sometimes you are too critical and allow your self-analysis to paralyze you? Also, your hair is badass...

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Thanks so much for the kind words Brad! Nate here. We will reveal the mystery easel notes on an upcoming video I promise! It’s nothing crazy, just some things to think about while painting. I put the notes on there when I was using the easel to help me stay on track when I lose control of the painting. I tend to get very anxious when plein air painting so having notes helps. For me, the only way to grow as an artist is to be humble. The minute I get cocky I stop learning, and that’s a bad thing. I do get hard on myself though which is a ongoing issue I deal with, but Lindsey is an expert in highlighting the successes even if it’s a failure.

[@chriswhitehouse8982]

@@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007 Thanks. I was going to ask the same question about the easel notes :-). Loving the videos. Would love to see more in studio painting tips and tricks from Lindsey too.

[@pac3588]

Curioso di sapere cosa c'è scritto sul biglietto bianco

[@tonycrawford7742]

you were wrong to wipe it, should have given it a couple of days thought.

[@laurettedicarlostern3356]

Love your work. Lindsey, the link to your website does not work. Your last name is misspelled. (the T is missing).

[@paintingwithlindseyandnate8007]

Oh thanks for catching that! I fixed it so it should work now.

[@juancamiloherreracorrales4640]

Sub en español plss :(