My Watercolor Plein Air Supplies
So much of my work is done in my studio but nothing compares to capturing a painting en plein air! Exchanging the cozy comfort of your studio or creative space for the outdoors can be challenging (especially in a climate as unpredictable as Ireland) but there are countless benefits to immersing yourself in the magical world of plein air painting. The forever changing movement of light, shadows and atmosphere create endless moods and possibilities which translate onto your paper as a dynamic and interesting snapshot of whichever beautiful scene you happen to be in. Working with reference photos is nice, but to capture the true colors of a scene, the feeling you have while being there… that can only be done by painting on location. For those of you who would love to try plein air painting, I have compiled a list of all of the supplies I love to bring out with me (Don’t take too much, your bag can get heavy fast). Have fun creating outdoors! It can be a challenge, especially with watercolors, but switching up your process and surroundings and getting out of your comfort zone is a sure fire way to make you a stronger artist. Check out my recommendations to get you started in this wonderful world of creating outside!
Alizarin Crimson
Quinacridone Magenta
Cadmium Red
Quinacridone Gold
Cadmium Yellow Pale
Cadmium Lemon
Burnt Sienna
Cobalt Turquoise
Cobalt Blue
Ultramarine
Neutral tint
Paynes gray
Brushes -
Silver black velvet 10, 16 and large hake brush
Sponge/paper towel
Watercolor paper - Arches watercolor 140lb NOT 9x12 block or sheets of 11x14 Arches paper and use painters tape to tape it to the easel
Water
A sketchbook and pen to figure out the composition and shadows
Extras - If using a regular palette, use a collapsible water dish
A few tips to get you started -
- Take a minutes to sketch out a few different scenes. This will help you decide what to paint, think of composition and look at the light and shadows.
- You have about a 2 hour window before the light is dramatically different, so work quickly and in a size that’s comfortable.
- Sometimes picking a scene that’s not obviously beautiful but interesting makes a better paint subject.
- Dress appropriately! You’ll be standing or sitting for a long period of time so if it’s cold out really bundle up and if it’s sunny make sure to bring a hat and load up on sunscreen.
If you try plein air painting I would love to know! Leave a comment or send me a DM on Instagram!
With love,
