What do you mean by Plein Air?
Plein air
painting was popular in the United States in the early part of the
1900's and has seen a real revival in the past few decades. This style
of painting was popularized by the French Impressionists of the latter
part of the 1800's. They painted outside, recording in all kinds of
weather the world around them as was visible in the fleeting light of
that day. There were no digital cameras to record the moment. Some
artists were able to complete a work of art in one sitting. They called
this "Alla Prima." Others would return to the same spot at the precise
time of day when the lighting was the same as the day the painting was
started.
The great masters in Europe's 1800's took full advantage
of fleeting colors of light in attempts to capture atmospheric
conditions before they could change too much. This caused their brush
strokes and painting surface to appear rushed and shorthand-like. The
colors and strokes blended optically to create an impression of the
landscape. The paintings were so colorful and beautiful that young
artists from the U.S., Russia, and all over Europe traveled to study
this new way of painting.
When you paint plein air, take in all
the colors nature is throwing at you. Absorb as much information as
possible and edit out the frivolous, and only paint what is truly
important. Simplify and focus on harmonious relationships for stronger
paintings. Observe carefully! Minimize the minimal and maximize the
maximal!
And always give it your best.
