An Artist's Guide to Plein Air Painting Oct. 2015 | Page 7

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PLEIN AIR PAINTING?

Is it worth the trouble?
Besides the pleasure elements suggested above there are
significant benefits for the artist.
Notes from the field become part of an
ongoing experience where each painting
contributes in some way to the next.
(Gavin Brooks)

 Colors outdoors are different when photographed. Personal
observation trains the artist's eye to take note of accurate colors.
 Picking out composition when facing the vast panorama is
daunting at first. The artist quickly learns techniques to isolate
strong compositions.
 Selection of elements necessary for composition and disregarding
others will develop the artist's eye.
 The ability to observe shadow areas filled with life rather than
underexposed darks in photos is an added benefit.
 You will learn how to simplify a scene.
 Identify shapes and values better.
 Learn to mix colors from a limited palette of colors.
 You will learn all these skills under the pressure of time and the
changing weather that this implies.

An Artist’s Guide to Plein Air Painting

Malcolm Dewey