• Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial
Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial

My Trusted Plein Air Painting Materials and Travel Kit

27/9/2018

Comments

 
Plein Air Painting Materials with Malcolm Dewey Fine Art

To paint outdoors is an adventure. Even when you paint down the road in familiar territory. This is the moment when you are outside your comfort zone and forced to concentrate on a scene. The experience makes your painting stronger. It also makes you a better painter.
​
In this series I am going to explore the outdoor painting experience. In Part 1 we take a look at my basic plein air painting kit. You can watch the video below too and pin the infographic.
Less is Good
Especially if you have to carry it. You must avoid the caricature of outdoor painters lugging back breaking kit along. To force myself to comply I am using one backpack only. Added to that I am travelling by bicycle. No space for too many things then.

To be fair I am painting at a local beach and I will only be an hour or so. In this case I do not need to worry about packing extra comfort items like food and spare clothing. The weather is also good so no umbrellas needed. I do suggest that you follow a similar plan for a quick outing to practice. You will refine what works for you and have a less stressful time. This supposed to be relaxing no so?
​
View Video #2 Now
Plein Air Materials
One bag to carry them all. A big backpack will do the trick. As you can see in the video this item will still qualify as hand luggage for a plane. But has enough room for a tripod and paint box plus lots more. If you can get one with wheels then all the better.

Paint Box
This little paint box is a conversion I did a while back. See that article here. It is still one of my best paint boxes and it cost me very little. Light and easy to carry and ideal for these close-to-home outings.

You can spend more on a bigger one of course. It is nice to have one that can store a completed panel or two. Saves space and keeps your work safe. The large French easels are not suited to light travel. For bigger expeditions they are okay, but remember that they are heavy.

Tripod:
You may need one to support your paint box. Or to record your painting with a camera. A video or photo record is useful. You can assess your work better with progress shots. You can share your work online if you need to market yourself too. Or simply for happy memories. Hey if things don't work out you can always look back on this moment and laugh.

Paints
No paints no painting. Despite this being self evident my party trick is to forget a tube of paint. If I was more organised I would not do this. Like setting aside a set of paints exclusively for outdoor trips. Always ready.

Okay so basic paints could include the primary colors and white. Very simple and effective if you trust your paint mixing ability. This will also teach you how to mix paint like nothing else.

But I tend to carry a warm and cool version of the primary colors.

Cadmium red light and alizarin crimson/magenta
Cadmium yellow deep and cadmium yellow deep
Ultramarine blue and cerulean blue

Convenience colors are yellow ochre and burnt sienna. These are easy to mix, but like I said convenience is nice sometimes. Cadmium orange is also handy. However I never carry greens, purples and other exotic colors.

Finally your titanium white.

Brushes
Three or four brushes will do. Usually long flat bristle in sizes 10 - 6. Also a rigger for figures, minor details and so on. It is very easy to get caught up in the moment and paint most of the work with one brush. If you can remember to use one brush for light colors and one for shadow colors your life will be simpler.

A palette knife is always useful to clean the palette. Also to scrape off or add paint to the panel.

Painting Surface
Small canvasses or panels are best. I like 8 x 10 or 9 x 12 in panels for convenient sizes. Easy to carry and small enough to complete a painting in an hour.

A wet painting carrier is advisable. These can be purchased or made without too much trouble. You can even make them out of cardboard so long as you keep them dry.

As a last resort use a few matches as spacers between wet panels. Sandwich the panels together with the wet surface facing inwards. The matches on the edges keep the panels from touching. Then bind them together securely with elastic or tape.

You can see this method in one of my upcoming videos. It is risky. Rather use a wet painting carrier.

Other Important Items
Pencils, felt tip markers and an A5 sketch book to work out compositions and notan sketches.

A composition tool is very useful. See an example in the infographic below.

Tissue paper for cleaning brushes is essential. Rather than using turps outdoors use tissue or brush cleaning.

Latex gloves help keep your hands clean for the home trip. Also it is generally safer to keep paint and solvents off your hands.

A bag to discard litter into.

Sunscreen and a hat. Even sunglasses. Avoid squinting into bright light. It will give you a headache and distort your color and value perception. A hat and sunglasses will take care of this. Ideally move your position to a shady spot.

Keep in mind that bright light can distort your perception of values. If you darken the values outdoors to compensate for the light your painting may look too dark indoors. Avoid adjusting your values by being aware of this phenomenon.

Comfort and Safety
Dress for the weather. Always have a windbreaker jacket handy if your climate calls for it. A quick weather change can catch you out. Food and water can mean the difference between a fun day and misery.

On the subject of clothing avoid wearing bright colors that will reflect into your painting. A red glow reflecting onto your panel, for instance, will not help you see colors accurately.

Many people cite safety concerns. Never paint where you would not otherwise feel secure. I would rather have people about than be alone in a desolate place. If you can have a friend to join you then wonderful. Be careful of your valuables. Expensive cameras left unattended may disappear, for example.

All this is common sense, but easy to forget in the excitement of the moment.

Start the Adventure
Like I said outdoor painting is an adventure. One you can enjoy often without breaking the bank. Plus your painting will improve too. Each time I paint outdoors provides a sense of accomplishment. Check out my plein air painting course to help you get started too. Have a go.

Pin to your Pinterest Board:

Picture

Comments
    FREE Book
    Picture

    Color Tips for Artists:
    ​Free
    Picture

    Book Bundle Special
    See More
    Picture

    Author

    Malcolm Dewey: Artist. Country: South Africa
    View Portfolio:

    Picture

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012

    Categories

    All
    Art Business
    Artist Notes
    Books Worth Every Dime!
    Its An Artists Life
    Musings
    News
    Painting Course
    Painting Demonstration
    Painting Tips
    Podcasts
    Popular Posts Archive
    Reviews


    Picture

    Picture

    Visit Malcolm Dewey Fine Art's profile on Pinterest.

    FREE
    ​GUIDE

    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Picture

Studio:  Troon Crescent, Port Alfred, South Africa
​Malcolm Dewey Fine Art is committed to top quality art, excellent educational material and having a great time! To back that up all works sold come with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Simply return the work, undamaged, within 30 days. Returns at purchaser expense. All transaction are protected by third party bank-level encryption to keep your information safe. Plus your email address is safe. No spam - ever!

​Copyright 2010-2020: Malcolm Dewey Fine Art
​
Picture
30 Day Money Back
Picture
Secure Transactions
Picture
Picture
No Spam Ever!
Photos used under Creative Commons from maHidoodi, buggolo, Fabio Téllez
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Paintings for Sale
  • Painting Course
  • Top Painting Tips
    • Prints
  • Art Coaching
  • Resources
  • Free Download
  • Artist Statement
  • Podcast
  • Painting Podcast
  • Contact
  • Reference and Tutorial