Posts Tagged ‘open air painter’
Selecting Your Painting Surface
When selecting painting surfaces, the main distinction is between flexible and rigid. Flexible surfaces include canvas and paper, with canvas being the most popular medium. Although canvas is widely used, many people find its flimsy nature difficult to work with when painting.
Rigid surfaces, such as wood, glass and metals, offer a more consistent base for art creation, making them ideal for plein air painters and artists without a formal studio. One of the main benefits of hard surfaces is that they are difficult to damage, as they can’t be torn, wrinkled or creased. Since rigid surfaces are so varied, it is important to research and determine which is best for you.
Multiple Avenues of Expression
For many years I found a creative outlet in painting. I would wake up early on weekend mornings and walk the short distance to a nearby park. There I would set up my easel and paint the slices of life that happened to come into view. Most of my artistic influences come from the realist school – I like to capture what’s actually there and allow the pictures to speak for themselves. In my view, it should be up to the viewer to form their own opinions and interpretations.
More recently, it struck me that painting is a medium that’s best suited for abstract or expressionist artists. As a realist, it was only natural that I should branch out into the world of photography. It allows me to move around and capture more images than I could ever hope to contain in a single painting. However, when I want to express myself creatively, I take up my old craft as a landscape painter.
Fostering the Creative Process
Many writers need a quiet, secluded area to let their ideas meld into a cohesive narrative, and they certainly aren’t alone. Artists of all stripes-from painters and sketch artists to musicians-often retreat to an isolated quarters to develop their ideas. Of course, this area not only needs to be private, but it also requires items that are conducive to the creative process.
Plants, artwork, photographs and music all serve as viable sources of artistic inspiration. Having an adequate place to create your work is obviously a top priority as well. But don’t think you have to confine yourself to a drab workshop; plein air art is a great way to connect with nature on a personal level and infuse that relationship into your work.
Plein Air Painters
When I think of artists, I tend to think of conflicted individuals confined to an isolated studio somewhere. This imagery is certainly true for some artists, but it is by no means the only model. Many artists go into nature to find inspiration from the world around them.
These plein air painters are definitely a different breed. In my experience, their work generally displays more color and a sense of uplifting than their indoor counterparts. While you may assume that plein air artwork simply portrays landscapes and run-of-the-mill depictions of nature, many of the pieces are abstract and atypical.
Expressing Creativity Through Your Hobbies
Many people find that they don’t get to be as creative at work as they would desire, and if you’re an artistic person in an inartistic field, that can leave you a bit unsatisfied at the end of the day. If this is the case, but you’re not looking to change jobs at this point in your life, you can always convert your artistic preferences into a daily hobby. If you’re a writer, consider keeping a daily journal of your thoughts and ideas. Whether you jot down poems or what happened at the grocery store during your lunch hour, it’s a good way to express yourself on a daily basis.
If you’re more visually artistic, consider converting your garage into a kind of makeshift studio. This way, you can spend your nights or weekends painting, sketching, or doodling. If the garage door opens, it’s all the better, because you’ll be able to enjoy the natural light. When you have time on the weekends, take your easel out into nature become a plein air painter.