CLARE’S TIPS TO HELP YOU START PAINTING EN PLEIN AIR

l Make the experience as comfortable as you can. You need to be physically comfortable when you paint. This includes temperature, ease of equipment, hunger and so on – if everything else is great you can focus on the painting. l If going out alone is a barrier, try joining a group or go with a painting friend. l Try setting up in the garden or within close radius of your home. l Start small – a small board and a small subject – use a viewfinder to crop in. l Remember to keep the painting time short – one to two hours – as the window of light will move and change the subject. You don’t have to finish it outside there and then; you could complete the painting at home or go back another day if the weather is settled. l Photograph for reference. This will remind you of the initial inspiration for the painting and can be useful back home if you need to finish the painting later or you are going to scale it up. l Mix the main colours before you start to paint. This can help with colour harmony, and it allows you to apply the paint without stopping to mix. l If you are having trouble converting the subject from a 3D real life to a flat 2D surface, use the viewfinder or look at a photo of your scene on your phone as an aid to start you off (the more you do it the easier you will find it). l Some artists have their painting equipment by the front door, or a small set in the car, so it is available if the inspiration takes. Don’t make it a big deal to get ready: keep it simple and have a checklist so you don’t forget things. l Enjoy the experience of being outdoors and don’t pressure yourself to produce a ‘masterpiece’. Instead use it as a source of inspiration, a chance to work on your skills and have fun being out and capturing a moment in time!