Using a plein air setup on a photography tripod, Clare Bowen gave an oil demonstration at Plein Air Live 2023 while painting a quaint boat named “NikNak” on a harbor in England. She chose the boat for this Beginner’s demo because she said it’s easier to start plein air painting if you focus on a simple subject.
Clare’s Quick Tips for Painting Outdoors
1. Get a good foundation and underpainting.
2. Simplify your scene. “You don’t have to get everything in there. Nature is complex,” but in a plein air painting, you can choose one subject.
3. Go small. Don’t be afraid of doing a little 6 x 8-inch painting.
4. Pre-mix your paint.
5. Be organized.
Transform your skills at the next Plein Air Live online art conference! Plein Air Live gives you invaluable insights and live demonstrations from some of the world’s best plein air artists. Over the course of 3-4 exciting days, they’ll reveal unparallel techniques to improve your use of color, light and shadow, giving you the confidence and skills to paint outdoors and create more amazing artwork than you ever have before. Learn more at PleinAirLive.com.
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Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today
