Plein Air Paiinting for beginners
Recently moved from Pennsylvania to Northern Jacksonville, Florida.
Anxious to meet friends with the same common interest I joined First Coast Plein Air Painters.
FCPAP are an enthusiastic and engage group of painters. Since I have become a member I have a had a wide variety of paint outs in the South Eastern Florida region. There is nothing more peaceful and enjoyable experiencing nature up close and painting your observation. I would encourage anyone to the joy of painting in an outdoor studio.
Recommendations for beginning Plein Air Painting:
A few helpful suggestions to take under consideration before you venture out to the open air studio.
1. Florida is filled with insect. Keep close to you a strong repellent. Sportsman use Knat-B-gone spray. Eucalyptus repels knats and is not harmful to the environment.
2. Make sure to bring with you a strong sun protector. Many Artist have a wide brim hat to divert the sun away from while they are painting. You easily loose track of time and be out in the sun for hours.
3. Always be aware of the weather forecast for the day. You want to dress appropriately for the environment you will painting in.
4. I recommend light color clothing. The colors you were reflect on the surface you are painting.
5. Where ever you are painting you will need Handy-wipes. The do wonders to clean up paint on everything and every where.
6. Keep you supplies to a minimum. I use a small tool box to carry them in. The more you bring the heavier it can feel. Usually establish my pallet the evening before. I carry 5 paint bushes using a diversity of sizes, always a pencil, sharpener, and eraser, a small. spray container filled with water and sea salt, and 1 to 2 sheets of pre stretched paper.
7, Many artist choice to stand. You can engage and change your perspective when you do. Unfortunately, I struggle with loosing my balance and other physical problems so I bring a portable golf chair so I can sit while working. This allows the opportunity to create vs. the challenge of loosing balance.
8. Artist have portable and easy to roll carts. Makes it more convenient to carry you easel and supplies.
9 I prefer painting with a group or friends. This way it is not as isolating as your studio sometimes can feel.
10. A cell phone with me to document the time, date, and location. Especially if you have an emergency it is always a good idea to have the cell phone handy.
Washington Oaks State Park
Watercolor on Paper
16" X 20"
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