The immersive outdoor practice of plein air painting has long been a source of inspiration and creative exploration for artists across the centuries. We learned this the hard way… From the pioneering Impressionists who revolutionized the genre to contemporary masters pushing the boundaries of the form, the act of capturing the essence of a specific place in real-time has proven to be a captivating and transformative process.
Art Techniques
Plein Air Painting: Outdoor Landscape Painting
At its core, plein air painting – the French term meaning “in the open air” – involves setting up one’s easel outdoors and painting a scene directly from life. This dynamic approach to landscape painting allows artists to intimately engage with their surroundings, translating the sights, sounds, and sensations of a specific environment onto the canvas.
“The purpose of the painter is simply to reproduce in other minds the impression which a scene has made upon him.” – George Inness, 19th-century Tonalist painter
Rather than working from photographic references or studio setups, plein air painters immerse themselves in the natural world, responding in real-time to shifting light, changing weather conditions, and the ephemeral qualities of a scene. This immediate, spontaneous interaction with the landscape is fundamental to the plein air process, challenging artists to quickly capture the essence of a place before the moment passes.
Modern Painting Techniques
While the core principles of plein air painting have remained consistent over the centuries, contemporary artists have continued to innovate and expand the genre through the incorporation of modern painting techniques. Adapting traditional methods, they have developed new approaches to translating the sensations of the natural world onto the canvas.
One such technique is alla prima, or “direct painting,” in which layers of paint are applied wet-on-wet without waiting for each layer to dry. This technique allows for a more immediate, expressive response to the subject, with each brushstroke capturing the dynamism of the scene. Artists may also employ impasto, a heavy application of paint that creates a textured, sculptural quality on the canvas, mirroring the tactile nature of the environment.
Alongside these technical innovations, plein air painters have also embraced the transformative power of colour theory. By carefully considering the interplay of hues, values, and tonal relationships, they are able to evoke the emotional resonance and atmospheric qualities of a place, transporting the viewer into the heart of the scene.
Creative Process
Creative Inspiration: Observing the Natural World
At the core of the plein air painting experience is a profound connection to the natural world. By immersing themselves in the sights, sounds, and sensations of a specific landscape, artists are able to tap into a wellspring of creative inspiration, translating their sensory observations into compelling visual narratives.
“When I walk into a grassy field or hike a mountain trail, I experience these restorative powers and sense the essence of where forms and feelings are intertwined.” – Lolly Shera, landscape painter
Whether it’s the play of light and shadow across a rocky outcrop, the rhythmic patterns of a winding river, or the serene calm of a secluded forest, the act of closely observing the natural world provides a rich source of inspiration for plein air painters. By engaging with their surroundings through all their senses, they are able to capture the essence of a place, conveying the emotional resonance and atmospheric qualities that define the experience of being there.
Artistic Design Principles
Translating the essence of a landscape onto the canvas requires a deep understanding of artistic design principles. Plein air painters might want to masterfully compose their scenes, considering the spatial arrangement of forms, the balance of positive and negative space, and the interplay of light and shadow.
The selection of a colour palette is also a crucial element of the plein air painting process, with artists carefully considering how hues, values, and tonal relationships can evoke the mood and atmosphere of a particular environment. Through the strategic application of paint, they are able to capture the ephemeral qualities of a place, conveying the transient nature of the natural world.
“With a carefully selected envelope of tones, I balance forms, masses and details, unifying the various elements within the painting until harmony has been achieved.” – Lolly Shera
By applying these design principles in the dynamic, ever-changing context of the outdoors, plein air painters are able to create works that not only accurately depict a scene but also convey the emotional and sensory experience of being present within it.
Drawing Fundamentals
Pencil Drawing Techniques
While the finished painting is often the primary focus of plein air artists, the foundation of their creative process frequently begins with pencil sketching. This quick, gestural approach to recording the essence of a place allows painters to capture the initial visual impressions and compositional ideas that will inform their larger works.
Through the mastery of pencil sketching techniques, plein air artists develop the ability to quickly and accurately render the forms, textures, and details of their surroundings. From the precise rendering of architectural elements to the expressive capture of organic shapes, these drawing skills are essential to the plein air painter’s toolkit.
Experimental Mark-Making
In addition to traditional drawing methods, many plein air artists also explore experimental mark-making techniques, incorporating unconventional media and approaches to capture the energy and spontaneity of the outdoor experience. This might involve the use of abstract expressionist brushwork, the incorporation of found objects as drawing tools, or the exploration of gestural, kinetic drawing exercises.
By embracing a spirit of playful exploration, plein air painters are able to push the boundaries of their practice, discovering new ways to translate the essence of a place onto the page. These experimental approaches not only enhance their technical skills but also allow them to tap into the raw, emotional power of the natural world.
Art History and Influences
Plein Air Painting Traditions
The tradition of plein air painting can be traced back to the 19th century, when a group of French Impressionist artists, including Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro, revolutionized the genre by taking their easels out of the studio and into the open air. Captivated by the effects of natural light and the fleeting qualities of the landscape, these pioneers developed a style characterized by loose, expressive brushwork and a vibrant, prismatic palette.
Building upon the foundations laid by the Impressionists, the Post-Impressionist painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh, further pushed the boundaries of plein air painting. Incorporating a more structured, geometric approach to composition and a more emotive, expressive use of colour, these artists ushered in a new era of outdoor landscape painting that would go on to influence generations of artists.
Today, the plein air painting tradition continues to thrive, with a growing community of contemporary artists exploring innovative ways to capture the essence of place. From the luminous seascapes of Liza Myers to the evocative mountain landscapes of Lolly Shera, these modern masters are carrying on the legacy of their forebears while infusing the genre with fresh perspectives and techniques.
Interdisciplinary Connections
As the field of plein air painting has evolved, artists have increasingly sought to forge interdisciplinary connections with other creative disciplines, further expanding the possibilities of the genre.
One such example is the collaboration between rapper Lupe Fiasco and the MIT List Visual Arts Center, which resulted in the project “GHOTIING MIT: Public Art.” In this innovative approach, Fiasco composed and recorded site-specific rap performances in response to the university’s public art collection, blending the spontaneity of plein air painting with the creative energy of musical improvisation.
By integrating elements of environmental art, soundscape composition, and performative expression, projects like “GHOTIING MIT” demonstrate the rich potential for plein air painting to intersect with other artistic disciplines, fostering new forms of creative expression and deepening our understanding of the relationship between the natural world and the human experience.
As the plein air painting tradition continues to evolve, artists are increasingly embracing the power of multimedia and interdisciplinary approaches, blending their outdoor painting practice with elements of photography, video, installation art, and beyond. Through these innovative explorations, the essence of place is being captured and shared in ever-more dynamic and immersive ways.
Whether working with traditional painting media or pushing the boundaries of the genre through experimental techniques, the plein air painters of today are continuing to redefine the ways in which we engage with the natural world and uncover the profound emotional resonance that lies at the heart of the outdoor experience. By immersing themselves in the sights, sounds, and sensations of their surroundings, these artists are not only capturing the essence of a place but also inviting us to see the world anew, with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural environment.
Tip: Experiment with different media to discover your unique style