Plein Air Painting Supplies

About Plein Air Painting

Plein air painting, also known as painting en plein air, is painting in the open air. Instead of painting in a studio, the artist moves outdoors to directly capture the beauty of his/her surroundings.

Artists who enjoy plein air painting say the practice teaches them how to “see” their surroundings. By painting outdoor landscapes, they are forced to pay attention to light, shadow, color, and other small details that add a sense of realism to a painting.

The practice of painting directly from life began in nineteenth century Europe. John Constable, an English artist, made sketches outdoors and finished his paintings in the studio. This practice was considered odd at the time, but he believed it helped him find truth in nature. Francois Millet and Gustave Courbet, French artists residing in a small village outside Paris, took a similar approach to their work. They painted everyday subjects in natural settings, thus starting the movement of realism in art.

Although realists had a novel approach to painting, their ideas are best remembered as the groundwork for the impressionist movement. Painters such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Edouard Degas, and Auguste Renoir worked outside to recreate the world as colors that suggested light. Their paintings are now considered the standard for a truthful depiction of the outdoor experience.

Organizing Plein Air Painting Supplies

Plein air painting requires significantly more organization than painting in your studio. You’ll need to choose your supplies carefully, since you won’t be able to pick up forgotten items while on location.

If possible, most artists recommend that you keep a separate set of supplies to be used exclusively for plein air painting. This saves you from the chore of having to pack a painting kit each time you wish to work on location.

The exact items you need for painting en plein air will depend upon your personal work style and whether you use oil, acrylics, or watercolors. However, basic plein air painting supplies include:

• Box easel. Also known as a French box easel, it features telescoping legs and folds to the size of a small briefcase when not in use.
• Paper or canvas. Watercolor artists will need rustproof clips or pegs to keep paper in place when it's windy.
• A selection of basic paint colors. If you understand how to mix colors correctly, black, white, red, blue, and yellow paint should be sufficient. However, oil painters will also need to bring any necessary mediums on location.
• Brushes and any necessary palette knives. Retractable brushes save space.
• Palette. A paper palette makes cleanup easy, although it’s somewhat flimsy.
• Water bottle and cup for cleaning brushes. Choose a cup with a lid if you’ll need to bring your dirty water home for disposal.
• Cloth or paper towels for cleaning your work area. It’s smart to be prepared for accidental spills.

Other helpful items include:

• Insect repellent and sunscreen. It’s easy to get so caught up in painting that you fail to notice mosquito bites and sunburns.
• A windproof jacket and fingerless gloves. You won’t be moving around much when painting, so you may get cold.
• A fold up chair or stool. Some artists prefer to stand or sit on the ground, but a comfortable workspace is always a good idea.
• A digital camera. If you’re unable to finish your painting in one session, take a few photographs of the scene to use as a reference when you return to your studio.
• A large plastic bag. If there’s no trashcan nearby, a plastic bag will allow you to dispose of your rubbish at a later date. You can also use the bag as an emergency rain shield if needed.

If you’re packing a kit of plein air painting supplies for use while traveling, it’s best to leave items in your checked baggage. Acrylic and oil paints are non-flammable, but brushes, palette knifes, and oil painting mediums are considered hazardous.