The forecast was for drizzle but the clouds looked like they might break and reveal some blue patches. Ever optimistic and determined as we were to get out painting, my Mum and I packed up our few sketching materials (I decided this wasn’t the time to take my pastels on location!) and headed to the end of Scott Point Road. This road is actually a dead end which means it’s quiet and, even more importantly, has a number of views to choose from.
I was visiting my parents on Salt Spring Island a couple of weeks ago. Mum and I love to go out sketching together and this summer, it seems we hadn’t done much of that, hence our commitment to get out painting during this visit. The inclement weather wasn’t about to put us off! In my case, I also wanted to get out sketching to prepare for my Art Retreat workshop in Tuscany at the end of October.
We arrived, had a look around, and chose our spots quickly.
By now, the clouds had grown darker and gone beyond just threatening…we soon felt the first drop of rain. Well, luckily, not rain but a very light drizzle, more of a misting. And, we were protected by the trees somewhat which helped us to keep going.
I managed two very quick sketches with pencil and an application of watersoluble coloured pencils. I had water and brush with me but, hah! I didn’t need either. The water I needed came from above and kind of took over the painting. All I could do was laugh – with frustration and with joy. This was what painting en plein air was all about!
In the end, both of us grumbled about our results but we also both heartily agreed to this: it was a joy to get out painting on location no matter what the outcome on paper!
It’s sometimes hard to believe what an immense pleasure being out painting can bring, what a deep sense of soul nourishment, what a feeling of accomplishment.
And this is why I wanted to write this post.
As much as I disliked the outcome of my efforts, the experience of painting on location IS magical! I wanted to remind you of the enrichment to your being that working en plein air can bring. Yes, it also brings benefit to your art-making in the way you learn to see more, more colours, more value nuances, more relationships, but it’s the sense of being one with the world, about connection with all that’s around you, of a deepening of your sense identity as an artist that’s so profound.
The message here? Get outside and paint! Go and do a wee sketch.
And please don’t worry about the result. Hard I know! But you will find that you’ll feel joy no matter the struggle, no matter the outcome.
And, if you find yourself resisting and hesitate to step out the door even if you have the urge to go outside and paint, then find a buddy to go with. Ideally that person is another artist but they can also be a friend or intimate who’s willing to find themselves a quiet spot to read or go for a walk or doze while you immerse yourself in your response to what’s there in front of you.
Okay, there’s a bit more to my story and it really underlines that plein air painting is so much about the experience!
As Mum and I finally decided it was time to pack it in and go home to dry off, a few people found their way down to us. A walking group from South Korea, they were delighted to discover us and curious about our work.
Also, they were smitten with my Mum and the fact that she’s 94 years old, so much so that they wanted to take photos with her!! What a hoot! We chuckled about that all the way home. These, these are the magic moments that can happen when you get out painting!!
Have you experienced something unexpected and magical when you’ve been out sketching or painting? Tell us about your experience of the joy that comes with painting on location!
Until next time,
~ Gail
PS. You’ll find numerous articles on this blog about painting en plein air. Just do a search and see what comes up!
PPS. I was a bit hesitant to display my sketches (ugh) but I wanted so much to share the JOY we had while painting, that the results of our time out didn’t matter as much as getting out!!
10 thoughts on “Get Out Painting – Here’s Why!”
Love your Article about Plein Air Gail as always, none of us do enough or make excuses. I am going to Tassie this coming week so there will be some indoor and some outdoors drawing. Thats if it stops raining.!!
Thanks Gwendolin! And ahhhhh Tassie. Rain or shine, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time!!
How wonderful to have your mom to do art with! Thanks for this post. My home has a beautiful setting right outside my back door, and find the late afternoon my favorite time to try a “quick” sketch that can turn into an hour’s time. It’s a coastal scene with tidal marsh and rapidly changing light. I think I’ll try doing shorter, timed sketches as I find myself hanging onto the bitter end of the light so that I can’t even see what the real color of the pastel I pick up is! – and end up with a lack of value change. I think if I did a series of shorter sketches I might begin to “catch” the essence of what first draws my out the door to begin with.
Ahh Jeni, what an amazing backyard view to have! It sounds so beautiful and I can see why you are drawn to paint it especially in the afternoon light. I always think timed work is a great idea. That way, you have to focus on the essence. And….maybe you can get two done! Perhaps a series?
Have you seen/heard of Kevin Macpherson’s Pond series? He did a painting of the same view each day for a year. He wrote a book out on it or you can see them online.
Way back when I first started plein air painting, I decided to drive to the Oregon coast and paint three rocks that, for some reason, really resonate with me. I was naive and even had diagrams on how to set up the easel. I wanted the rocks to be in a certain spot in my composition. I was in a wayside park by busy Highway 101. No matter where I stood the rocks would not move into position. In the end I had to stand right by the guard rail for the highway to get the view I wanted. I was focused on my painting when I heard someone yelling. I turned to the sound and discovered that a man was leaning out the window of a car yelling “Hey Lady, that’s a beautiful painting!” I took it as a compliment even though at 40 miles an hour, I’m sure he could not tell if it was beautiful or not. I had a big smile on my face and felt encouraged.
OMG Kathy, this is an AWESOME plein air story!!! Thank you for sharing it. I now have a big smile on my face!
Your own story about being out in Plein Air with your 94 y o Mum was beautiful. How wonderfully close your must both be to each other, enjoy each others’ company and share such a wonderful creative history together. Beautiful story.
I’ve only been out drawing/painting en plein air a few times but I have felt the pleasure of sitting and recording the gentle ‘being’ at one with my subject. Also, so nice for people to be interested and stop to ask questions or chat for a bit with me. Winter is slowing bowing out from the stage here in Australia. I am looking forward to being outdoors again en plein air, and am getting re energized now after your article. Thank you.
Thanks Carmel – yes, I have such a wonderful relationship with my Mum – it’s so cool to have an interest in art in common.
thanks for sharing your own experience painting on location. I’m glad you’re open to people coming up and showing interest in what you’re doing! This aspect can cause resistance for some to working en plein air so I’m delighted to hear it’s not an issue for you 👏
Happy painting as the weather warms up!!
Dear Gail,
Thank you for sharing this and sharing your not perfect sketches. This so encourages me!! I am new to sketching from life and my sketches are not great. So, seeing that you feel the same about yours encourages me to keep doing it. It IS fun if you don’t worry about having a beautiful result. You make good points about seeing. I am making notes on the sketches to remember what drew me to the scene and taking photos to possibly paint from later. I’m going to try the water color pencils next time!
Thank you!
Dana
Thanks Dana! It did feel strange to put out such unsatisfactory sketches but this is the truth of what sometimes happens and I decided if I’m going to write about it I needed to show my work too. So I am so happy to hear it’s encouraging to you. I love that you agree that is IS fun…just enjoy the doing and understand the purpose of it. Yay!