What is Plein Air?

Every so often I am asked this question so thought I would repeat an earlier posting to help answer it:

"Plein Air" is used to describe the act of painting outside rather than in a studio and it also is used to describe the actual picture created outside. The term comes from the French phrase "en plein air" meaning "in the open or fresh air".

Artists used to have to actually grind up minerals, soils, etc. and mix them to a binding medium to make it into paint. Sometimes it didn't turn out just right. An example of a failed experiment in a new way of mixing paint is Leonardo di Vinci's Last Supper. The paint did not adhere to the wall and has flaked off in large areas.

During the early impressionist period, paint tubes were invented and railroads had been built. These two things made it easy for artists to get out in the country for a day of painting. The artists could now escape the smoky, dirty air and smells and sounds of a time of "horsepower" in the city and literally paint in the fresh air of the country! From this activity came the French easel, a box on legs to hold paint tubes, brushes and a mast to hold a canvas.

Now, a resurgence of "plein air" artists are enjoying painting in the "open air" with the bird sounds and beautiful views. Keep your eyes open for them and you will probably find some!

Last year's EBRP Paint Out! An experience!

5/2/09 Last year's May 2,2009 East Bay Regional Park Paint Out was RATHER memorable! It was the first paint out EBRP had organized, which they did very well. Unfortunately they did not have a hold on Mother Nature. She decided to make a real experience of it and try our mettle. You might check back to my May 2, 2009 post for details. Any how, it was a real experience!

This year, hopefully the sun will shine on all artists!

But just in case, bring plastic bags, umbrella and a strategy for not getting drowned!

(Last year was fun though. Sort of brought out that "pioneer" spirit of stick-to-itiveness!) I do need to get over to Sunol though and check it out. Last time I was there it was just "GREEN".

Whether you paint or not, come on down! And don't forget to say "hi" at the displaying of the work!

Coyote Hills Regional Park Paint Out, May 2, 2009

Artists are always learning.  It is just part of art, you are never done.  BUT, today was a definite learning experience for a group of 25 artist participating in the Coyote Hills paint out.

We all had been watching the weather reports all week.  It had been windy and chilly and we were wishing for the week before when we were gripping about the heat.  The rain was supposed to start Friday and just scattered showers on Saturday.  Then the news kept getting more ominous.  Down right RAIN on Saturday, 1-2 inches.  Oh, well.  Artists are a brave and sometimes foolhardy group.  Everyone assembled at the park's Visitor Center for sign in, had their canvases stamped (so no one can bring in work already done and all start at the same time).  We collected our water bottles and energy bars and off we went to find the perfect place to paint.  

Just about the time everyone started to settle in and set up, it started...sprinkles first, then full fledged rain.  There were a variety of strategies to meet this foe: Rain coats, ponchos, umbrellas of all descriptions, under trees, under tents, even in the car.

Rain on a canvas board is not a good thing. And an umbrella protecting the canvas can form a little drain spout sending rain into your palette.  Oil paint and water do not mix.  The paint gets a sort of yucky texture and trying to stick it to a wet surface can be down right discouraging.   And then the poor watercolorists, what can I say!

But those perservering artists lived through it and managed to come out with some pretty great paintings.    We all have a story to tell about how to get by painting plein air in the rain!

Next years East Bay Regional Park Paint-Out will be held at Sunol Regional Park.  Pray for Sun.

And by the way, I came in 2nd in the People's Choice Awards

The Shinn House

Today we painted at Shinn House.  It is very warm today, about 84 when we left but there is lots of shade at the Shinn House.  

We all feel the need to come back and work on the house again, somehow to get off the details but portray the character of the house.  There are lots of wonderful scenes to paint there, the gardens are beautiful and varied.

May 17, 2009:  MISSION PEAK HERITAGE FOUNDATION and FREMONT CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL present Arts & Crafts in Shinn Park, 1251 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Co-sponsors of the event are Dale Hardware and Fremont Art Association.  Local artists will display, demonstrate and sell their artwork.  There will be historic crafts people with their works for sale.  Entertainment will be offered throughout the day, including Square Dancers and belly dancers.  Hot dogs, popcorn, and other refreshments are available for sale.  The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum will show Silent Films in the Archive Room at the Shinn house, some of which were locally produced.  Docents will offer tours of the historic home.  Tours are $5.00 adults, $2.50 for children, age 5 – 12.  There is no admission charge to the grounds, and no booth charge to the Artists or Craftsmen.  Call Al Minard at 510.552.4839 for information

Wednesday Morning Adventures

Today, we met at Coyote Regional Park to get a little painting in.  The weather was clear, blue skies and temps fine with a bit a cool breeze once and a while.  Robyn and Sheryl headed from the Paseo Padre parking lot down the path towards the park entrance, I decided I still need to paint the oak trees so I chose to paint from Paseo Padre looking towards the oak grove.

The fields around the grove are scheduled to turn into a gated community of houses.  Such a loss.  The flatland views are so restful for the eyes and soul and a watershed and buffer zone for the wildlife that lives in the park.  I assume the grove will be left standing but will probably be unavailable to the public in a wonderful setting like it is today.  So, to be one with the trees!

Today's adventures included noisy trucks working near Robyn and Sheryl and where I was a slight wiff every so often of a very, very long time dead skunk down the way.  

It sounds like the May 2 paint out is going to be very fun with LOTS of artists.

By the way, the public gets to choose the best artists at the end of the day!

Today's painting is too wet to photograph, so here is another painting at Coyote Hills.

The Little Shop on the Corner

The little Victorian shop on the corner is currently a "paint your own ceramics" shop.  It was catching the sunbeams from a break in the clouds on a day that couldn't decide whether to rain or shine.  I felt a horse and buggy should be where the car is... wouldn't that be fun!

Observations on the art of painting

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 watching an artist painting may not appreciate all the mental work the artist is going through because it looks so simple as choosing colors and applying paint to canvas.  Actually there is a lot of concentration going on.  And a plein air painter must also deal with the elements as well; temperature, wind, quality of light, bugs, and near by facilities to name a few.  Some times 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 when not talking right then. 

Painting Plein Air!

Yesterday it was so sunny - but there was a breeze that was really icy.  Sheryl and I decided to take a chance on warmer weather this morning.  We met at 10 am to paint Coyote Hills starting out with layers.  It wasn't too long before we were peeling off jackets. 

 The mustard is in full bloom and we have to do it justice before they mow the fields!  The brush is just getting a hint of green growth and the mustard is so beautiful!  We painted the little red house and really enjoyed doing it.