Exploring the Joys of Outdoor painting in Summer "En Plein Air"

Summer is my favorite time of year here on the Sunshine Coast. I like to paint outdoors when I can - I wish it were more often! The experience of painting outdoors is challenging particularly in the early attempts.

20 Minutes sketch onsite Gibsons

I hear many newer plein Air Painters say that there is too much information. That they find it overwhelming. I can relate.

Here are a few tips:

• Simplify. Find what interests you and make it the focal point. Don't paint everything.

• Break the treeline, waterline, foreground etc. into planes and paint each area as one big shape - ie. not five tree shapes.

• Try painting your scene in 20 minutes! Wow that puts things into perspective. I did that recently for a 20 minute a day challenge on Instagram and it was a big breakthrough for me and I plan to do more of that.

• Other tips: Skies/clouds are warmer at the top and cooler towards the horizon.

• Sky holes are more saturated and warmer than the sky (think that the tips of the leaves inside the tree holes reflect the light ).

• 

  Acrylic Plein Air painting Cliff Gilker Falls

*Reminder I have Tuesday classes ongoing until mid July - I am now booking them individually to ensure I have a minimum of 3 students per class so please book ahead. July 1 is a class with room for more and I am looking for 2 more students for June 17th. Some classes may take place in our garden if its very hot.

If you can get out to sketch you can do it! It is great experience for your landscape paintings, it is a way to connect with passersby (don't be shy) invite them to try their hand at it - you may inspire someone.

Happy Paint Everyone!