Helter Sketcher #009 - Plein Air
Watercolor on location! Easy to Hard Mode
September 2, 2024
I was going down memory lane, looking at the various sketch/watercolor journals I have, and realized it has been six months since I have painted on location. The above piece was done on September 2, 2024! It’s been over six months. Cripes!! This streak of not getting out needs to be broken.
It all started last year
Going into 2024 I was inspired by James Gurney’s plein Air painting and bought a small folding easel. The idea was to take up watercoloring, have fun, paint outdoors, and get more hiking and travel in our diet. The first step was to ease into it. So Fred and I decided to buy a years pass to the local botanical garden. We had lots of fun during leisurely mornings and afternoons when it’s not too hot. The year pass gives us a huge incentive to use it a lot, and is a great way to support your local Zoo!
A botanical garden or Zoo is an easy way to get out and practice plein air watercoloring, or sketching. Zoo’s and Bio parks have all the amenities you need, so your painting experience will go smooth in case you forget anything. Paint a bit, then grab a beer at lunch. You wont regret it. It’s a fantastic way to spend the afternoon.
Cool tip: Go every week/weekend for 2-3 hours. As Flowers bloom in waves, every trip is new as some. sections of the park bloom and old things will wither. Don’t think you can pass on a flower one week and paint it the next! Bio Parks are constantly changing.
The Next Level: Camping!
The next level was going camping in the Jemez Mountains. This is our favorite spot to get into nature here in New Mexico. This particular outing we decided to do an easy hike and finally see San Gregorio lake at the end of the trail. The view was amazing. The bugs were not! Got eaten alive as I forgot to put bug spray on my ankles.
Final Boss: The Grand Canyon
The trip was amazing and inspiring. I would highly recommend the Grand Canyon to anyone who wants to see one of the top gems of nature in the United States.
Our second trip to the Grand Canyon we specifically packed our gear to get in a painting or two. It was jaw dropping as ever. However, the wind and constant changing clouds wreaked havoc on my brain and easel. I could not paint the constantly shifting lighting to save my life. Every time I would start painting in the shadows, to define the mountain ranges, they would already be different when I looked up from my easel. Live and learn. Nature threw us a curve ball. Still trying to decide on a strategy for next time.
Some plein air tips for your sanity:
Water! Bring a good sized water bottle to hydrate, and a small jug for watercoloring. And another small container…
Tiny spray bottle to keep your colors moist. Also doubles as reserve water.
Protein Bars. Don’t paint hangry! If I had a nickel for every time a protein bar kept me painting another hour or two. Buy the ones that don’t melt in your backpack.
Clips various sizes. Take more than you think. They are infinitely handy.
Bug Spray!! I tried the natural stuff and the bugs laughed at it. Sadly deet is the weapon of choice.
Good ink pen for writing notes. I use a cheap fountain pen with sepia ink. Sign your work and take notes! Your future self will love the little notes and dates you add to your beautiful works.
Take a photo with your phone of every view you paint. Sometimes life and weather will boot you out of the situation and you can finish the piece later.
Final thoughts
As the weather starts to get warm again It has reignited our itch to get out paint! Get outside and paint. You will find your groove and have fun! And you will have little pictures and proof you had a good day. Start basic. Start simple. A clipboard, watercolor pad, and a little folding set of colors is all you need. Sit on a bench under some shade and have fun!! Then later add an easel, tripod, umbrella etc.. Always think: Light weight and simplicity is superior to heavy and complex. You goal is to get outdoors and spend quality time with nature. Also drag a friend or lover along. Your wins and failures will me great stories and you will have littel paintings to prove it. Godseed.
– Sumrow
Look for new watercolor outings in the near future from Helter Sketcher!. The Bio Park is calling again…
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Do you keep a bit of white gouache in your travel kit? I keep a white gel pen in mine just in case