I was recently contacted by someone who contributes articles to blogs, and after I told her who tends to hang out here she sent me the following guest-written piece. Comments?
Tips for Creating Art Outdoors
Whether you’re painting a grand landscape or capturing the majesty of wildlife in a sketch, working outdoors can be a great way to really get a feel for your subject. Of course, while working outdoors offers many benefits, it also poses a range of challenges. Here are some ways that you can make getting creative en plein air a little easier and more productive.
Scout locations in advance. If you already know where you’re headed you won’t have to spend precious painting time finding a place to set up. When looking for scenic spots, choose somewhere that won’t leave you ravaged by sun or wind as that will make it hard to concentrate on working.
Check the weather. It may sound like a no-brainer but there are certain days where the sun is shining beautifully in the morning and by afternoon a raging storm has rolled in. Make sure you check the forecast to avoid getting caught in some unpleasant weather.
Learn to cope with lighting changes. Unlike in the studio, you won’t be able to control lighting when working outside. Whether you pick up the pace, adapt to changing light or only paint for a few hours each day, figure out a way that works best for you to ensure you won’t have an oddly lit work.
Work quickly. During your time outside its best to work more quickly than you would indoors because of changing weather and lighting conditions.
Get portable. No one wants to lug tons of equipment up a mountainside, so make sure the materials and hardware that you’re bringing along are designed to be moved. You may also want to limit the things you bring along to just those that you’re sure you’ll need.
Respect the environment. Many artistic materials can be highly toxic and you should do your best to ensure that none of yours get left behind or discarded in the wild.
Be safe. If you’re working in an area where large, wild animals reside use common sense and be cautious. Even the most apparently docile herbivores can get pretty angry if you’re infringing on their territory, so always put the needs of the wildlife over the requirements of your work.
Perhaps the biggest tip of all, however, is to just have fun and enjoy the beautiful natural world that surrounds you.
This post was contributed by Kathleen Baker, who writes about online degrees. She welcomes your feedback at KathleenBaker3212 at gmail.com.
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