Postcards from the Easel

I paint in all seasons but  with the warm weather and blooms in late spring I itch to get outside everyday. Like any activity if you have the right tools it makes the experience that much easier and more enjoyable.

Below I share some tips and tools for a great plein air experience.

And, if your not a painter, an insight into the process of the creation of a plein air work.

I have two plein air set ups, one for oil and one for pastel.

Below is my pastel setup. This is packed in a backpack in the trunk of my car so when the weather cooperates I can quickly head out.

Essential supplies:
• Portable tripod with pastel box and easel. (I use a small backpack Heilman box and an Obo tripod. These are both relatively compact and lightweight.

• An artists umbrella if shade is hard to find.
• Set of soft pastels (as many as you have) . I use Terry Ludwig and Dakota Pastels to purchase many of my pastels.

• Some hard pastels (Nupastel) for underpainting. Darker colors such as purples, dark brown, and pink for skies.

• A few sheets of pastel paper. I use UArt. This paper accepts watermedia for underpainting.
or Pastelmat. I generally mount my paper on Crescent Perfect Mount that I purchase through Dick Blick.

• A sheet of black foamcore - generally 12 X 16 is large enough. I can fit this in my backpack and then mount my pastel board to it.
• Masking or black artist tape (no colored tape).
• Sketchbook with pencils in range from H to 3B and eraser.
• Camera – I bring a camera to take photos when I start so that if I don’t finish I can use it as a
reference in my studio
Optional supplies for underpainting technique
• Alcohol (isopropyl rubbing alcohol not ethyl alcohol - 70%) or water for underpainting and a small container.
• Sealed container to hold alcohol/water
• Baby wipes - for quick cleanup
• Paper towels – I use Viva or the generic substitute for blending.
• Brushes - bring synthetic brushes, no natural bristle - flats in 1/2”, 3/4”, 1”sizes recommended

• Bug spray, sunscreen and water!

Typically I wear neutral clothing. Lightweight with long sleeves in the summer to protect from bugs and sun.

Process:

• Spend time canvasing the area in which you want to paint. Look at different angles and perspectives.
Change your vantage point and crop in or out.
• Think about what attracts you in a certain scene – what is the painting about?
What attracts you in the scene? Think of a potential title for the painting and write it down.
• When you decide on a subject do some simple line sketches. Squint and use you visual cropped to isolate the
scene. Try a vertical or a horizontal approach. The initial sketch is fundamental to the success of your painting.
Reduce the image to a few simple primary shapes. Focus on rhythm and harmony in the sketch. If you are having
difficulty choose another subject.
• The next step is to create a value sketch. Again, simple shapes with three to four values (and white)
• Finally! You are ready to begin your painting. Scale up your image using crop marks (or not).
• Choose underpainting colors. Apply with a light touch. Dull colors go in the background. More intense colors in
the foreground.
• Apply a wash with alcohol or water. Your brushstrokes should go in the direction of the objects.a
(e.g. Horizontal sky – vertical grasses)
• Locate your lightest light and darkest dark. All values will fall between these.
• Find the value relationship between the sky and the horizon. Put that in first.
• Pick a palette for the painting. Choose colors and isolate those. Test them on a paper.
• Work on your entire painting. Don’t complete areas separately. All areas should not be equally detailed. A
painting is not a photograph. You control where you want the viewer to focus.
Remember aerial perspective – lighter greyer colors in the middle and background, with less detail.
Warmer colors and more detail in the foreground. Use softer edges out of the main focal area to emphasize and
support the main idea.
• Enjoy the experience! And remember – a good strong start is better than a weak finished painting.
Sometimes it’s better to start anew if things aren’t working.