An Artist's Guide to Plein Air Painting Oct. 2015 | Page 21

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 You can leave objects out. Move or take out trees, buildings and
roads for instance to make your composition stronger. Too many
objects to move? Your subject may be the problem. Find another.
 Keep an open mind. Add a sense of humour. Paint for the love of
it.
 Have a concept in mind. What attracted you to the scene? Keep
this idea and stick with it throughout the painting.

SETTING UP:

 Place your easel in a comfortable and stable position. If you have
to stand awkwardly you will become tired quicker.
 Use the viewfinder. Use a color isolator if in doubt about colors.
 Paint the horizon line first.
 Put in dark shapes next and shadow shapes. Shadow change as
the light moves so get them in early. Then the lights. Stick to the
light dark relationships.
 Use a limited palette of primaries and white to learn how to mix
paint. Add to this palette over time. Never use tube greens
outdoors.
 Composition should be simple and strong. That means have a
strong focal point. Lead the eye to this focal point. Keep the eye in
the painting. All else is trimmings.

An Artist’s Guide to Plein Air Painting

Malcolm Dewey