What is Plein Air Painting?
Plein Air ( From the French meaning Outdoors) Painting is the practice of painting landscape outside at the site. This began in the mid-19th century when artists' paint became available in tubes. Painting in natural light is much different than painting from a photograph. When painting from a photograph the colours may not be right. Cameras can also distort the colour; your printer may change the amount of light in the picture. You end up wondering what the scene looked like. When painting outside, you begin to understand how light affects the colours, shadows and texture; the great thing is, you can go outside any day and do it. I have painted sitting in the passenger seat of my car on cold days when the paints freeze up if I paint outside. There is the challenge of having a 360-degree view in front of you rather than an 8 * 12 photograph. The light changes, clouds move in and the wind comes up. You may need to restart as you have a whole new scene in front of you.
The best thing is, I just love to be outside.
The best thing is, I just love to be outside.
Come and Paint With Me
No Fees, No Membership, Just send me an email and I will send you a map each week of where I will be.
On most days I try to start at 9:30 before it gets too hot. We usually stop at noon for lunch together and a "show and tell" for those who at into it.
I try to go somewhere in town one week and somewhere more rural the next week.
For those of you on my plein air mailing list, you will get an email on Monday describing the location for the next Thursday including where to meet. This year I will go out at least once a month on a Saturday. This year I have partnered with the Friends of The Carp Hills. I plan to go to each trail at least once during the summer.
What to Bring For Painting in Watercolours

Paints – tubes. Or just a loaded palette.
Palette
Watercolour block or watercolor paper taped to a board
Easel if wanted ( I don't use one)
Brushes
Pencils
Sketchbook
Water Containers and water if not painting near water.
Spray bottle
Paper towels or rags for clean up
Portable chair
Camera
Bug spray
sunscreen
Jacket, sweater, sun hat, rain jacket depending on the weather.
Long pants and sturdy shoes - tuck your pants into your socks;
See tick warning below.
Bring a lunch if you plan to work into the afternoon.
Palette
Watercolour block or watercolor paper taped to a board
Easel if wanted ( I don't use one)
Brushes
Pencils
Sketchbook
Water Containers and water if not painting near water.
Spray bottle
Paper towels or rags for clean up
Portable chair
Camera
Bug spray
sunscreen
Jacket, sweater, sun hat, rain jacket depending on the weather.
Long pants and sturdy shoes - tuck your pants into your socks;
See tick warning below.
Bring a lunch if you plan to work into the afternoon.
What to Bring
for Painting in Acrylics

What to bring when Painting with Acrylics Outdoors
(Plein Air)
Paints – tubes.
Stay Wet Palette
Canvas or canvas board or canvas paper attached to a board
(Keep sizes small, it takes too long to paint a large canvas)
Portable Easel
Brushes
Pencils
Sketchbook
Water Containers and water if not painting near water.
Paper towels or rags for clean up
Portable chair
Camera
Bug spray
sunscreen
Jacket, sweater, sun hat, rain jacket depending on the weather.
Bring a lunch if you plan to work into the afternoon.
Sturdy shoes or boots and long pants - tuck your pants into your socks
(read the notification tick warning)
Tick Warning
(Plein Air)
Paints – tubes.
Stay Wet Palette
Canvas or canvas board or canvas paper attached to a board
(Keep sizes small, it takes too long to paint a large canvas)
Portable Easel
Brushes
Pencils
Sketchbook
Water Containers and water if not painting near water.
Paper towels or rags for clean up
Portable chair
Camera
Bug spray
sunscreen
Jacket, sweater, sun hat, rain jacket depending on the weather.
Bring a lunch if you plan to work into the afternoon.
Sturdy shoes or boots and long pants - tuck your pants into your socks
(read the notification tick warning)
Tick Warning