Nothing “Plain” about Plein Air Painting!
By Tamera Menard Scannell
What is Plein Air Painting? Everyone asks me, what do you mean you were painting outside last weekend, were you painting the trim on your house? No. “Plein Air” painting means open air, or painting outside. During some seasons it is a true pleasure with the smell of blooming flowers and baby groundhogs frolicking at your feet, or with the smell of fall and all of creation’s colors emerging like a burst of excitement! Watching leaves dance in the wind and critters flying around you, actually connecting to nature itself at its core. That is the true meaning of Plein Air painting, making a connection to nature, living breathing and recording your connection. In the winter the blue shadows and crisp orange oak leaves flatter an otherwise gray scene, but the bitter frigid cold can wear on you. 13 degrees is tolerable in sunshine but in a windy overcast spot, you better be dressed well and planning to do a very fast painting! Then there is summer at her worst in the sticky months of 90 degrees with the humidity and pesky bugs dancing on your sweaty brow!
Sometimes we wonder what is harder, frozen fingers or dripping sweat in the oil paint on your palette! Ultimately the hardest part of Plein Air painting for newcomers is the fast changing light conditions. Even the very best studio painters may crank out a stinker because they tried to “chase the light” as we call it. An overcast day is probably the best lighting condition for a new Plein Air painter to experience. The benefits of painting outdoors are numerous! Studio painting is a controlled atmosphere with controlled lighting, etc. Outdoor painting is stimulating and challenging! It is more than just painting; it is a well rounded experience with friends, nature, elements, and creating a painting to remember that experience.
The colors you see in nature cannot be duplicated with a camera! If you use a small gray index card with a hole punched in the middle, and look through it at various things you will be amazed! Trees are not always only green and the sky is certainly not only blue! Your eyes start to learn a new way of seeing and your paintings magically evolve! Plein Air Painting is a refreshing experience that is well worth every minute of effort! It may take some time for you to get the hang of it but I promise it is worth it! The memories are priceless!
The Michigan Plein Air Painters meet every Saturday at the Kensington Metropark Nature Center at 8 a.m., rain or shine!
