Paint with a Partner on Monday, 9/25

Since I have to be away, I want you all to still be gaining some experience with plein air paintings. So, here your assignment for Monday.

You are going to complete 1 plein air painting, and yes you do have to be outside for this, during class time. I want you to sit down with someone else from the class, and choose a spot together, on or off campus and paint. Choose someone that will motivate you and keep you on track, not be talking the whole time.

You have free-reign on this painting, but remember the tips for success with plein air painting.

Tips for successful plein air drawing and painting

** don't overwork them, experiment and focus on simplicity.

1. Hey good lookin’.

Start with a good, long look. 

2. Simplicity is sophistication.

Narrow down your picture plane, it is easy to feel overwhelmed in a new environment.

3. Seize the light.

Light changes throughout the day, which makes accurately capturing it one of the biggest challenges of painting outdoors. Begin with light sketching, then more detail.

4. Clint Squint.

Squint often. Squinting will allow you to dumb down the details and "focus" on the big shapes. You can’t paint the fleas on the dog till you have painted the dog.

5. Lighter than light.

Keep your values lighter than you think you see. The sun is one big bright light bulb. Outdoor paintings tend to darken drastically when they're brought inside. Darks in particular will get a lot darker indoors. 

6. Perfect imperfection. 

You can spend all day looking for a "perfect" composition that just doesn't exist. Embrace the reality around you — smog, power lines, debris — and open yourself up to telling interesting stories with new subjects.