My Story
When I was in art school I had the privilege and blessing to be a student of the painting professor Hollis Howard. He taught most of us in the studios at the school, but in the summer he would have us go to his farm, set up our easels and paint (in oil) as fast as we could in 3 hours to finish a picture. The first picture I made of his back pasture, ochre in the hot sun with darkly shaded pecan trees in the background became one of my favorite paintings I ever did at school. There was a certain magic to it that really spoke to my heart. I fell in love with painting outside that day, and I have loved it ever since.
Why Paint Outside?
There is something really special about painting on location. It’s just like when you draw or paint an object. If you have it in your hand it comes to life easier when you draw it. A picture of something looks flattened and kind of boring. It’s the same when you go outside. The light is so gorgeous. It never translates well to a photo. A photo can help you finish in the studio, but being outside is the easiest way to get the magic on your canvas.
God in Nature
Painting outside is also experiencing the ultimate art- the art of creation itself. I can let the hard things listed here keep me from painting, but most of the time I don‘t. I just put myself and my things in my car and go! I find it completely worth all the packing, safety concerns and troubles to go out in nature and let it heal me as I paint its beauty on canvas. Painting on location is incredibly spiritual.
Challenges
There are some things that are hard about painting outside, but most can be solved.
It can be very hard to get out of my comfort zone and go out into the world. I don’t want to stick out, call attention to myself, or look like I am showing off, (yes, I am an introvert!) but I am DRIVEN to do art every day. So I have to put myself out in public, doing something that people are curious about. I try to talk myself out of it, sometimes it works, most of the time I tell my anxious brain to hush. I know I will feel blissfully happy if I go paint outside. Other people are in nature doing things- hiking, picnicking, fishing. I’m just there doing something too- painting!
Times
Finding the time is also hard. What works for me is going early in the day before it’s too hot, Soaking it all in and painting at least 1 oil painting, (which takes about 2-3 hours), plus taking lots of pictures before I leave. The glow I get inside my heart and my art brain lasts for days and I find I make lots of pictures in my studio the next few days, the memories of the time, place, and light coming onto the canvas as I work. Making magic on the canvas.
Onlookers
Curious people can be hard to deal with as well. Finding a shady spot with an excellent view to paint often means I am closer to a trail. I’m not fond of being interrupted, but I have come to enjoy the interactions I have with most people. Most are genuinely curious and some wish they could paint. I always encourage people. What I find funny is the interactions I get during stages of the painting. If I’m at an ugly or early stage (yes, I’m there quite often, and yes it’s normal!) people look but don’t talk. If I’m at the end with everything coming together they do talk.
Danger
Safety is another issue altogether. My mountains had a killer in them a couple of summers ago. Two people missing, bodies found. One whole trail system was completely closed for investigation. I didn’t know and found out later, after I had been. But I always have a weapon, plus I carry pepper spray and hang it right by my hand by my easel. Head on a swivel, safety by crowded areas, be situationally aware. I’ve never had to defend myself, but I also go out of my way to put myself in a safe spot to paint. Being next to trailheads and busy roads is a good place to start. I’ve painted from parking lots several times. I don’t listen to music or look at my phone. (There’s no signal anyway!)
July is so hot they close the trails at 10 am everyday. The granite reflects the heat of the sun and can get over 120 F. I typically don’t hike when I’m painting in oils as my equipment is pretty heavy. I do love to hike (never alone) and paint with watercolors- much lighter! (I’ll do a post about plein aire watercolor later.) I drink lots of water (and tea) and eat fruit and other hydrating foods. In the dead of summer I don’t stay past lunchtime. And I always look out for snakes. Research your area wildlife and read up on your park’s rules.
Equipment
This can be as simple as your lap, a couple of tubes of paint, thinner, and a brush. Here’s what I recommend. You need some sort of easel. Maybe a pochade box on an aluminum easel, or a french easel. French easels can be found used and Julian has a budget range. Mine is a Mabef from 1999, a present from my dad. Inside is a drawer where I can keep all my tubes, brushes, pencil, etc. Then I have a canvas tote bag with my good paper towels, canvases, and a jar of odorless spirits. I bring a cardboard box in the car that fits my canvases lying flat, and special canvas pins so I can transport them back home. I use a split-primary palette, but the colors I use most listed here: Permalba white, (the rest are Winsor & Newton) burnt umber, burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, cerulean blue, and a celadon pigment stick from R&F. I use whatever cheap brushes I like, usually a small round one and a medium flat or filbert hog bristle. I also use a portable folding stool. I used to be able to stand and paint, but I can’t any longer. I also carry a towel to keep me cool, and LOTS of water!
Enhancing Your Experience
I find that packing a simple picnic lunch and a thermos of hot tea greatly improves my time in nature. I love to pack a favorite china cup and saucer along with the tea accessories. It makes my breaks in beautiful nature truly special.
Music can also help you get your mind where you want to paint from. I really like Led Zeppelin playlists, and the soundtrack for Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Zeppelin in the Mountains:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1ZRRSnvTSDo3lAiV5h33Z0?si=_p9_k10ER-uyEos4gAV1Tw&pi=Hbje5S_GQUO98
Painting Picnic at Hanging Rock:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4O3KqifRUHzZ4VEoDTEedE?si=h0gD6d58SWuDXqiKcDHAjA&pi=JHXvZT30QO-Fv
Get to Painting!
Happy brushes to you from Kansas Street,
-Jaime
Life on Kansas Street 