Kathleen Dunphy helps many artists through her workshops, and one gem from her instruction recently made the rounds in social media. She agreed to share her 10 “Plein Errors” — things plein air painters do that make success more difficult.
Here are Dunphy’s Plein Errors, delivered as David Letterman might:
No. 10: Forgetting to squint to eliminate detail and see values more clearly.
No. 9: Getting bogged down in detail instead of massing in the basic shapes.
No. 8: Painting over an incorrect passage and making mud instead of scraping down/wiping off that section to start over.
No. 7: Painting too large a canvas for the amount of time available before the light changes.
No. 6: Not mixing up enough paint and skimping on paint application.
No. 5: Giving up too early.
No. 4: Wiping off the entire painting in the field (your painting might just be better than you think it is…)
No. 3: Focusing on one area too long instead of seeing the entire design.
No. 2: Using small brushes at the start.
And the Number One reason why paintings fail: Not having a clear plan before you start!
Kathleen is such a wonderful artist and even more wonderful is her willingness to share her ideas with other artists – thank you so much!
So right, Kathleen! Especially, for me, getting bogged down in detail and not mixing up enough paint.
well said. I needed to hear this today. Most of your top ten apply to studio paintings as well.
Excellent ideas! I can relate to 2,3,6 & 9! I feel rushed when I paint and I don’t know why! I also have a problem painting lights over darks but I try to remember to block darks & lights separate!
Thank You for posting this!
I find that if I can establish all the shadows
quickly, it helps me capture the scene without
having to deal with a constant moving sun.
Thanks, I appreciate the info.
Dunphy is right on the mark! If we all had her succinct 10 rules printed out and posted on our plein air easels, it would help!Thanks, Kathleen.
I could not agree more!!!!!! Excellent advice…!
Sadly, they all apply to me
Useful and practical reminders, delivered in a fun, concise way. Thank you Kathleen Love your work, especially love that Indian summer painting, Beautiful light!
Thank you so much for your “top ten”! It’s one thing to know these “10” ,, but it’s another thing to act on it. Gotta keep me on my toes! Ah yup!
Thank you for reminding me. I know I’m a repeat plein error maker.
Great reminders! I thank you.
Boy, oh boy. Does 10, 8, 7 and 3 ring a bell for me…
Thanks for reminding me of these
Perfectly said. Simple, easy reminders. And, I think I’ll follow Marcia Hirschy’s suggestion and print these “plein errors”, one for the plein air gear and one for the studio. Thanks for sharing, Kathleen.
Needed to read these over and over. Right on the mark.w
Thank you so much for reminding us just how important these 10 Plein Errors are when we create a painting. I love your work!!!!
Excellent list Kathleen. Thank you.
Thank you for your willingness to help other artists improve. I had always been one to*make it perfect* now I know better. I do the best I can and try not to criticize myself too harshly. It seems people who see my work like it and if I try to say *but I* they stop me and say there’s nothing wrong with it.
I do a lot of painting in my cottage as I don’t get out much, I paint a lot in my yard and from my porch. Living in the mountain area where I am there is so much inspiration I don’t need to travel. When I do go out away from home I take my sketch pad or camera and paint when I get home.
Thank you again for your generosity. God Bless you and keep you in His care.
Thank you for your willingness to help others to improve, A fault of mine was trying to *make it perfect*, I have since learned better.
I live in a mountain area and do my painting from my cottage porch or yard I have a lot of inspiration all around.
Thank you again for your your generosity. God Bless you and keep you in His care.
Wow! Number 9 is got to be the toughest one to get around because when you arrive at the composition the first thing you see is detail. I guess that is why number 10 is so important.
I love your work, your colors are spot on.
Have you been standing behind me in the field????
Guilty as charged….
Perfect timing and super reminders..I start teaching a three day workshop today and will happily include your post. Thank you!
These are very very helpful! Thank you.
Great advice. I turned it around and still liked it:
1. Have a clear plan.
2. Use big brushes to start.
3. Work on the overall design before focusing on any one area.
4. Reserve judgment a while before wiping off your painting; it might be better than you thought.
5. Don’t give up too soon.
6. Mix up plenty of paint and don’t skimp on application.
7. Choose a canvas size that you can finish before the light changes too much.
8. Scrape off a serious mistake instead of trying to paint over it.
9. Mass in the basic shapes first.
10. Squint so you can see values more clearly
For Elizabeth Martin,
Thanks for the positive spin.
Nice twist Elizabeth. Either way, these are all key issues! Thanks, Kathleen.
Great advice Kathleen, so simple but so important!
Timely advice Kathleen, I hope you don’t mind me sharing this with my students this Saturday during my plein air workshop. One more I can add is to wipe the brush in between strokes, I see too many muddied plein air paintings.
An artist friend sent our plain air group the 10 reminders we all need.
Please add my e-mail. Thank uou
Thank you..
We all learn by doing, we all make mistakes, but that is how to learn! You have to practice almost everyday, don’t ever be afraid to try something new, you never know what might becomes of it. I try to share all that I can about what I know, remember no other one can paint of draw like you, your the only! It’s always nice when other artist give us helpful hints and Ideas to help us along the way! So I Thank You very much Kathleen Dunphy for your helpful hints and ideas, we all can sure use them!
Grant, Oil Painter/Artist
Yes to all! And Squint, two, three, four, Squint, two, three, four, Squint…
This was spot on…thank you for posting. The writing exemplified the points made…clear and concise! The painting examples are stunning.
Wonderful! This list is going in my pack. Thank you KD