Our newest adventure has been taking our studio outdoors, Plein-Air style! This is a big leap and a fresh start for us because Jaison is finally recovering from Lyme Disease. We have honestly been hermit crabs for the past few years just trying to get back to normal. (Please write us if you are battling Lyme. We would love to help!)
Painting Plein Air has been a challenge that we’ve been very excited about for a long time. It’s a way of better understanding atmosphere and light in nature and it’s an excellent opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise. (It’s also kind of like a date for us!) It’s also an Adrenaline Rush! The pressure to capture nature in real time is so strong that it cancels all the voices of doubt or laziness that might otherwise prevent us from working.
Working outdoors does however come with a number of unique challenges.. ex: your whole easel falling over from wind, sun in your eyes, cold weather, dirt/bugs in the paint.. Because of these challenges, it is so important to have a set-up that works for you! Everything we take with us can fit into our Backpacks for easy travel. Here are some materials that we strongly recommend for your own set-up!
ITEMS & RECOMMENDED BRANDS
Backpack ~ Any backpack will do.. with lots of pockets!
Foldable chair ~ OPLIY Camping Stool
Portable easel or Pochade Box ~ Sienna Pochade Box or simply a cigar box
Palette ~ Masterson Sta-wet Palette
Panels ~ Hardboard Panels (any size)
Wet Panel Carrier ~ PanelPak
Chalk ~ White chalk for sketch on Panel
Brushes ~ Long Bristle Flats #8, #12, Rigor Brush
Limited paint palette ~ Trans Red, Titanium white, cad yellow light, yellow ochre, pyrrole red, burnt umber, ultramarine blue
Rags ~ Cotton rags
Cup for water ~ Container with lid
Artist View Finder ~ View Catcher
