As an experienced art writer and creative consultant, I’ve had the privilege of exploring a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques. We learned this the hard way… From the precision of pencil drawing to the expressive versatility of mixed media, the world of visual art offers endless avenues for creative exploration. Yet, when it comes to capturing the ephemeral beauty of the natural world, there’s something truly special about the unparalleled spontaneity and immediacy of watercolour painting en plein air.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Painting Outdoors: The Allure of Plein Air
The art of painting outdoors, or “plein air,” has long captivated artists and art enthusiasts alike. There’s an undeniable energy and vitality that comes from working directly from life, immersed in the sights, sounds, and ever-changing atmospheres of the natural environment. As artist Kim T. Richards eloquently expresses, “Plein air painting begins as a quest to bring a sense of spontaneity and expressiveness to my work. Painting outdoors demands swift decisions and a commitment to each brushstroke, as the fleeting light changes the scene before your eyes.”
Indeed, the challenges of plein air painting — from the elements to unexpected interruptions — are precisely what make it such a rewarding and transformative experience. By embracing the unpredictability of the outdoor setting, artists are forced to work with a sense of immediacy, their brushstrokes and color choices becoming a direct reflection of the moment. As Richards notes, “There’s no room for hesitation or overworking; instead, the artist’s hand is clear, with expressive brush strokes and colors capturing the moment.”
Watercolour: The Ideal Medium for Plein Air
When it comes to plein air painting, watercolour stands out as a particularly well-suited medium. Its fluid, transparent nature lends itself beautifully to the task of capturing the ever-shifting play of light and shadow, the ephemeral hues of the natural world. Unlike the more heavily bodied acrylics or oils, watercolours encourage a sense of spontaneity and responsiveness, allowing artists to work quickly and intuitively.
“Painting swiftly helps sharpen my skills and keeps me fully engaged in each piece,” shares artist Alex Roediger. “I find that working at a faster pace makes it easier to embrace unusual techniques and bold decisions, all while capturing the fleeting light and atmosphere of the moment.”
This spirit of experimentation and adaptability is essential when working en plein air, where the conditions are constantly in flux. By mastering a range of watercolour techniques — from the wet-on-wet spontaneity of blending and lifting colour, to the glazing and layering of transparent washes — artists can navigate the unpredictable challenges of the outdoor environment with greater confidence and control.
Watercolour Techniques for Plein Air Painting
Wet-on-Wet Techniques
One of the most fundamental and expressive watercolour techniques for plein air painting is the wet-on-wet approach. By applying pigment to a damp or wet surface, artists can take advantage of the medium’s innate fluidity, allowing colours to bleed, blend, and react with one another in unexpected ways. This lends a sense of spontaneity and energy to the final work, capturing the ephemeral quality of the observed scene.
When working en plein air, the wet-on-wet technique can be particularly useful for rendering the ever-shifting play of light and shadow, as well as the hazy, atmospheric qualities of the environment. By allowing the paint to flow and intermingle on the paper, artists can convey the soft-edged, atmospheric feel of a scene, rather than relying on hard-edged details.
Glazing and Layering
Another essential watercolour technique for plein air painting is the art of glazing and layering. By applying thin, transparent washes of colour one on top of another, artists can build up depth, luminosity, and nuanced hues in their paintings. This approach is particularly well-suited for capturing the subtleties of natural lighting, as each layer of colour can interact with the ones beneath to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
When working en plein air, the glazing and layering technique can be used to gradually refine and develop a painting, allowing artists to respond to the changing conditions of the outdoor setting. As the light shifts and the scene evolves, artists can continue to adjust and refine their work, layering transparent washes to capture the essence of the moment.
Colour Mixing Strategies
Effective colour mixing is essential for any plein air painter working in watercolour. By understanding the relationships between different pigments and how they interact on the paper, artists can create a rich, harmonious palette that captures the nuances of the natural world.
One particularly useful strategy for plein air painting is to establish a limited colour palette at the outset, rather than attempting to mix a wide range of hues on the fly. By restricting the number of paints, artists can focus on the subtle variations and harmonies that arise from thoughtful colour mixing, rather than getting bogged down in an excess of options.
Another valuable approach is to work with complementary colours, using them to create a sense of vibrancy and contrast in the painting. For example, by juxtaposing warm and cool tones, or by incorporating a touch of the “opposite” colour in the shadows and highlights, artists can imbue their work with a heightened sense of depth and atmosphere.
The Creative Process: Plein Air Painting with Watercolour
Observing the Natural World
At the heart of any successful plein air painting lies a deep, attentive observation of the natural world. By immersing themselves in the sights, sounds, and sensations of the outdoor environment, artists can develop a keen awareness of the subtle shifts in light, colour, and atmosphere that define a particular scene.
“Our eyes can pick up subtleties of colour that a camera cannot,” notes Kim T. Richards. “Cameras often distort reality, altering colours, and making shadow areas much darker. By directly observing nature, artists learn to discern subtleties of light, colour, and form, honing their ability to translate what they observe onto canvas.”
This process of close observation is essential for watercolour painters working en plein air, as they might want to quickly and intuitively capture the fleeting qualities of the natural world. By training their eyes to see with precision and sensitivity, artists can then translate those observations into fluid, expressive brushstrokes and vibrant washes of colour.
Embracing Spontaneity and Risk
One of the hallmarks of plein air painting with watercolour is the embrace of spontaneity and risk-taking. As Alex Roediger explains, “Working at this pace makes it easier to embrace unusual techniques and bold decisions, all while capturing the fleeting light and atmosphere of the moment.”
Indeed, the unpredictable nature of the outdoor environment, combined with the inherent fluidity of watercolour, encourages artists to work with a sense of immediacy and responsiveness. Rather than meticulously planning out every detail in advance, plein air painters might want to be willing to let go of control, allowing the medium to guide their brushwork and colour choices.
This spirit of spontaneity and experimentation can be deeply liberating for artists, as it frees them from the constraints of perfectionism and allows them to fully immerse themselves in the creative process. By embracing the unexpected, painters can capture the essence of a fleeting moment with a raw, expressive energy that would be difficult to achieve in a more controlled studio setting.
Developing a Unique Painting Style
As artists continue to hone their plein air painting skills, they will inevitably begin to develop a unique, personal style that reflects their individual perspectives, preferences, and approaches to the medium.
“Painting quickly is more than just a practical skill — it’s a way to stay connected to the environment and capture the energy of the moment as it unfolds,” shares Roediger. “While I’m still working toward the speed and efficiency I hope to achieve, I’m enjoying the process of painting with greater decisiveness, infusing each piece with as much life as possible.”
This emphasis on decisiveness, energy, and a deep connection to the natural world is characteristic of many successful plein air painters working in watercolour. By embracing the medium’s fluid, responsive nature, artists can imbue their paintings with a sense of immediacy and vitality that speaks to the essence of the outdoor experience.
Over time, as painters continue to experiment, take risks, and hone their observational skills, their unique visual language will begin to emerge. This process of artistic development is not only immensely rewarding, but it also allows artists to create works that are deeply personal, authentic, and evocative of the fleeting atmospheres they seek to capture.
Plein Air Painting Tutorials: Watercolour Techniques in Action
Ready to put these watercolour techniques into practice? Let’s explore a step-by-step demonstration of a plein air painting session, showcasing how to effectively capture the essence of a natural scene using the medium of watercolour.
Materials Needed:
- Watercolour paper (cold-pressed or rough surface)
- Watercolour paints (a limited palette of 5-7 colours works well)
- Watercolour brushes (a mix of round, flat, and detail brushes)
- Water container and paper towels
- Sketch pad and pencil (for preliminary studies)
Step 1: Observe and Sketch
Before even picking up your paintbrush, take the time to carefully observe the scene before you. Use your sketch pad to capture a few quick, gestural studies, focusing on the overall composition, the placement of key elements, and the general colour relationships.
Step 2: Establish the Underpainting
Begin your watercolour painting by laying down a base layer of wet-on-wet washes, allowing the pigments to bleed and mingle on the paper. This underpainting will serve as a foundation for the subsequent layers, helping to establish the overall mood and atmospheric qualities of the scene.
Step 3: Add Depth and Detail
Next, start building up the painting with glazing and layering techniques. Apply a series of transparent washes, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next. Use this process to gradually refine the shapes, introduce more detailed elements, and enhance the sense of depth and dimension.
Step 4: Refine and Adjust
As the light and conditions continue to shift, be prepared to make adjustments to your painting. Use wet-on-wet and glazing techniques to respond to these changes, softening edges, modifying colours, and enhancing the overall atmospheric quality of the scene.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches
In the final stages of your plein air watercolour painting, consider adding any final details or accents using a smaller, more precise brush. This is the time to heighten contrast, reinforce the composition, and double-check that that your work captures the essence of the fleeting moment you’ve experienced.
By following these steps and incorporating the various watercolour techniques discussed throughout this article, you’ll be well on your way to creating expressive, atmospheric plein air paintings that evoke the true spirit of the natural world. Remember, the key to success is to embrace the spontaneity and responsiveness of the medium, allowing your brushwork and colour choices to be guided by the ever-changing conditions of the outdoor environment.
As you continue to explore the world of plein air painting with watercolour, I encourage you to visit the resources available on Pencil and Paint Muse for further inspiration, tutorials, and creative insights. Happy painting!
Example: Modern Abstract Painting Series 2024