Felix I used to paint faces at parties and public events with lots of people watching and it didn't bother me at all. I was confident with that. I guess it's the same here, it will be hard the first time but then it gets easier. I'll get an early start when there's hardly anyone about, just the occasional jogger. I watch the scene from my window every day so I know the sky and the lighting changes constantly so I am expecting an almighty challenge. Yes, it will be exciting to try something new. Thanks Felix!

    Thank you Felix for the new challenge! I really want to attempt it. I think to help myself I will need to go with somewhat small canvas to paint outside. I hope I will have time participate.

    This challenge will bring a lot of fun!

    to all: sorry for bringing this topic - the time of the painting outside is proportional to the volume of bladder. ☺️

    Sunnylady You'll be alright if you don't choose to paint a fountain! I'm a bit worried about seagulls pooping on my canvas. And how do you cope with flies sticking to your paint? These are things we are going to have to deal with.

      Mmm, i only own a table top easel and living in Manchester the weather is rarely compatible with plein air ....i will have to give this one some thought as i have literally never painted outdoors

      TheLandscapePainter I did one painting at summer outside, flies somehow did not bother me, it was a day time, not evening though...
      I had a tiny fly stick to the wet paint on one of my seascapes and i had to wait till it dries. While it was drying it was looking like another seagull 🙂 I removed it without problems when it dried.

      Wind is another issue that can bring sand and flip the canvas...
      and to add to the list - carry ready masterpiece home is something of a challenge if one has no car.
      I seriously think to take a garden trolley and put my supplies, chair and little table in it and walk to the painting site. It is apx 20 min walk for me. I plan no easel and just paint on the table to remove issue of flipping canvas in the dirt together with easel.

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        • Post #10
        • Edited

        Felix Not sure if I will participate. Plein Air is very suitable for watercolors, all you need is a Pencil (maybe some Fine liners) a rubber, small box with watercolors (or alternatively a few watercolor pencils), a water tank brush and a small watercolor sketchbook. I often did this.

          Sunnylady Didn't even think about getting a wet oil painting home. I should be able to carry it across the road. To prevent the wind from taking it I will make two carrying handles out of some faux leather that I can screw to the back of the stretcher bars. Hope that idea helps somebody.

            To the uninitiated plein air clearly presents several issues and whilst the idea is sound enough it seems the practicalities are for many people difficult to overcome, i will have to sit this one out fraid. :

              Tom0779 I do on location doodles in Watercolor all the time! The right portable pallette, plus lots of practice with waterbrushes will get you there conveniently! Think of it as doodling or practice. Better yet, you could also use watercolor pencils for ultimate control. 😉

                  Sunnylady, I concur with your pressing feelings! 😅 Go easy on the mental stimulant in the coffee bottle.

                  For getting wet paintings home, use masking tape around the faces of the 4 edges, with the masking tape at least the width of the timber behind the canvas - or marginally wider for safety. Then 2 options. Either Take a spare canvas and masking tape with you, and then fit the un-painted canvas over the top and tape to the back of the painted canvas; OR take a made-up cardboard carton modified so that it fits the canvas across the diagonal - no damage to the painted area.

                  tel I've got the BR easel but I've dismantled it to use on desktop as I can't stand up for more than a few minutes at a time so I agree painting outdoors with it is a bit awkward, having to cart loads of kit around is a bit of a hurdle. Is there not something on your doorstep that takes your interest? I don't know about you but whenever these challenges come up I tend to seek out a subject that I like and can live with afterwards. I like the idea of doing a few paintings of my local area, this will be my second.

                    TheLandscapePainter Today I was also rethinking all that heavy lifting and walking far away to hunt a nice scene. I thought May be flowers or a tree in the garden will fit the idea?

                    @ Felix - do flowers qualify for the event if they painted outside from a real thing?

                      TheLandscapePainter I share that thought TLP, since it is my intention to paint my house and front garden (partially visible in my latest article) from my opposite's neighbours driveway for this event.
                      I just have to cross my (rural) street with my paint gear and hope for a few hours of dry weather. AND hopefully some enthousiast persons passing by!!

                        a month later

                        Aw, I just haven't been well enough, can't even sit for long right now so I skipped it in the end. I still intend to do the scene in the future if the outdoor event comes around again, I really want to produce this painting so maybe I will pop outside and take a photo and do it from that if I have to which is looking more likely. Some really good entries here, a great challenge and well done to everyone who made it. It's been interesting to see what you guys came up with.

                          11 days later