How to Watch a Plein Air Artist

Since the weather is getting so nice the plein air season will be coming out strong.

Some of the best artists moan and gripe about their concentration being broken while they are painting plein air by people admiring their work. Painting in the studio does not present this problem, but when the artist is painting outdoors this is the only chance most people have to seeing a painting in process. Often these admirers are the same people that purchase the art work.

I figure the public should have a bit of a guide on what is going on and how to watch an artist, just like there are etiquette rules in the gallery at a golf game. Also, I feel artists should not be condescending of their admirers.

It is all about a bit of education actually on both sides. So with that in mind, I am re-posting this from last year:

Creating a pleasing, meaningful painting is a work of problem solving. When an artist begin to paint there are so many questions to answer. And it really takes concentration. As an artist gets more experienced, the some questions are answered subconsciously, but need to be answered none the less.

The first problem starts with the painting subject itself. The composition, the layout (if the canvas should be horizontal or vertical), focal point, depth of view, sharp and soft edges, contrast, perspective, movement, dimension, the contrast ...and on and on. Plein air painting also includes catching the light at a certain moment, unlike working in the studio with a photo. This problem solving continues throughout the creation of the painting to the end.

Someone walking by may not appreciate all the mental work a plein air artist is going through because it looks so simple as choosing colors and applying paint to canvas. Actually a plein air painter must not only concentrate on painting a piece of work, but also deal with the elements as well; temperature, wind, quality of light, bugs, and possibly the lack of near by facilities to name a few. Some times just these elements can break concentration.

Then there is always the attraction factor. Most artists love to have people admire their works, but it can be intimidating to have someone looking over your shoulder when you are working out problem solving. If observers are very quiet and stand back to watch, most artists can still work and not be bothered. If the artist decides to take a painting break, she can then acknowledge those watching and answer questions. I just mention this because the public can be so interested and many do not realize the artist is actually "at work" and may seem rude if she does not respond to conversation at that time.