Price: $19.99
(as of Oct 14, 2024 10:11:49 UTC – Details)
For artists looking to grow beyond the studio, En Plein Air: Watercolor is the definitive resource for experiencing the rewards and invigoration of watercolor painting on location.
En Plein Air: Watercolor introduces beginning artists and fine-art enthusiasts to the core concepts of painting on location. This guide will have you fully prepared for a day of painting outdoors. Inside, you’ll find:A comprehensive list of what to pack to maximize your timeHow to choose a subject and interpret it for a compositionHow to deal with the challenges of shadows and shifting natural lightA review of color theory and color mixingTips and techniques for honing your watercolor skills and developing your artistic voiceThe collection of step-by-step examples will help you gain new artistic skills as you create unique, dynamic artwork outside the studio. Perfect for artists looking to break outside the norm, En Plein Air: Watercolor is your complete guide to experiencing the unique rewards of painting on location with the invigorating medium of watercolor.
Painting outdoors is a rewarding, peaceful experience full of joy, adventure, and persistence. Let the En Plein Air series guide you in your artistic travels as you explore this daring and expressive method of painting, wherever you may be.
Also available from the series:En Plein Air: Acrylic and En Plein Air: Light & Color.
From the Publisher
Getting Started
In this picture, the subject is in the background.
Painting on location has benefited me in many different ways throughout my career. Although it has its challenges, it is most often rewarding. It will help you simplify shapes, understand values, and develop brushstrokes that are full of energy. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned that can help in your process.
Get a feeling of where the best spot is to set up your gear. Remember you may be there for a while, so try to anticipate where your light source will be an hour or two from the time you start.
This will depend on what you really want to say in your painting. Too far away and you might not get the information you need. Too close and you may not have the atmosphere for a really good design.
If you’re painting a rural scene and are not sure if you might be trespassing, ask permission. I have never been turned down, and many times the property owner will buy the painting (an added bonus!).
A common mistake is to draw too small. This usually creates negative tension and can lead the viewer’s eye to the wrong part of the picture. Think of your image as a puzzle, where there are large, medium, and small interlocking pieces supporting one another.
If your only goal is to paint a masterpiece, then chances are you’ll be frustrated by the end of the day. You’ll leave not remembering the time spent in the environment, or ≥the interactions you may have had with other artists, and you’ll have a poor painting as a reminder. If you are a beginner, have a plan before you put pencil to paper.
Scope out your location. Pick your spot. Ask permission. Draw out your image. Set goals for the session.
Breaking the Horizon: Here are some quick tips on how to change tension in your paintings by simply changing the horizon.
Choice 1. High horizon
This example illustrates a simple way of how to achieve action and movement in your image. Notice how the viewer is pulled into the image simply by showing more of the foreground.
Choice 2. Mid horizon
This is the more common choice for most artists because it is normally the viewer’s vantage point. It is a more balanced design and is commonly what you, the viewer, is seeing in a real-life situation.
Choice 3. Low horizon
A lower horizon line can help you create drama within your paintings. Use this opportunity to create distance, but don’t forget to connect the painting.
Publisher : Walter Foster Publishing; Illustrated edition (December 18, 2018)
Language : English
Paperback : 128 pages
ISBN-10 : 1633226166
ISBN-13 : 978-1633226166
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 8.7 x 0.5 x 11.1 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book beautifully illustrated and easy to understand. They say it’s concise and a great resource for plein air watercolor painters. Readers also appreciate the good information and lively art works.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews