PWAS Plein Air Posse
In a recent survey of the Prince William Art Society members interests, it was found that Plein Air was a leading art topic that the members wanted to learn more about and get involved in. Thus, PWAS is launching an interested party inaugural Plein Air field trip for this new extension of the PWAS art group. But if Plein Air Painting is new to you, read on dear artist.
What is Plein Air Painting?
As an artist, we spend a ton of time in our studios (or wish we could!). Many studios have great natural light and maybe windows that can open to circulate the air and that's all great. But perhaps many other artists have that urge to get outdoors to paint what we see too, to be in the great outdoors, wind in the hair, the bees a buzzin'... Nonetheless, nature does call us to come out and play. Maybe with paints and brushes in hand.
From the French came the expression "plein air" meaning "in the open air" which means getting out of our studios and being in the moment, painting in nature and all its elements. Talk about hands-on! In your face!
The Prince William Art Society has a new group of members forming a group of Plein Air painters are calling themselves the PWAS Plein Air Posse. A few members have great experience with painting out of doors while others are newbies.
There are no rights or wrongs nor rules or guidelines really. Do your thing!
What You Will Need
Think lightweight items because you have to carry the equipment somewhere into nature and the wind and weather and mud are other considerations. So through the woods, walking the river paths, to the beach and over the dunes, crawling over the rocks, or hanging out with the wildlife, the birds and the bees (hey, the insects!) - from head to toe and everything in between, dress for the occasion.
Dress according to the day - layers are typically best as then if the day changes on you, your comfort level can adjust with it.
Equipment
- A Portable Easel/Tripod. A lightweight field easel, pochade box or simply a sketch clipboard may be all you need, depending on if your medium is oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or other medium or if you are doing a sketch or using color pencils, etc.
- Essential Art Supply Items - No matter the medium, choose to bring only the colors, brushes, palette, or any appropriate mixing solutions absolutely essential for the project, or to get the artwork started. Some artists can complete a painting quickly, others will finish in studio. Smaller sized tubes, containers etc will lighten the load.
- Sketchbook - many artists sketch first to decide composition and color.
- Your Phone/Camera - Take reference photos of your subject with the time of day your main concern to capture the lighting the way you want to paint it. The light will change on you - fast! While some artists can knock out a Plein Air painting quickly and can capture the essence of the subject, others will finish up the painting later with their reference photos.
- Be Prepared - in case of changes in the weather, heat, cold, rain, whatever. Also, if its quite breezy, think how your artwork can be anchored down to keep from being air borne.
- Water for clean up, water for you. Collapsible containers may work there too. Perhaps snacks too. Just remember, CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF!!
- Paper Towels or rags for cleanup.
- A Hat, Umbrella. Think in advance too, will you need to have applied sunscreen?
Another consideration is a simple, lightweight camping chair or stool of some sort.
Most of all, enjoy the fresh air and have fun. Get to know not only your fellow Plein Air Posse members, but enjoy the learning and growing experience of being in the moment of painting out of doors!
PWAS Plein Air Posse
If you want to join the "Posse" for their first outing, please contact Tom Payne, paynereliefartworx@yahoo.com
The first Plein Air meeting of the Posse will be at:
Bluebell Festival at Merrimac FarmSunday, April 7, 2024Meet at 9:00 am15014 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, Va
As far as the Bluebell Festival itself, there is a followup blog post and more information coming to the PWAS members for this entire event going on at Merrimac Farm. The Prince William Art Society will have a booth there!
For Further Reading
A Beginner's Guide to Plein Air Painting; Tips for Success
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Tom Payne
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
