Lena Rivera
Plein air painting, which means in the open air in French, offers artists a unique opportunity to engage directly with nature and the elements. However, one of the challenges of painting outdoors is carrying the weight of art supplies and equipment. To lighten the load, artists should carefully consider what to bring and opt for lightweight alternatives when possible. This includes choosing a lightweight easel, such as an aluminium design, and reducing the number of colours on your palette. Artists can also opt for lightweight panels, such as the RayMar Feather Lite panel, and only bring half-full tubes of paint or break pastels in half. By simplifying your setup and choosing lightweight alternatives, you can significantly reduce the weight of your plein air painting gear.
What You'll Learn
Choose lightweight equipment
When it comes to plein air painting, choosing lightweight equipment is essential, especially if you plan to hike or travel long distances. Here are some tips to help you lighten the load:
Easels
The easel is a crucial piece of equipment for plein air painting, but it can also be one of the heaviest items in your pack. Look for lightweight options made from aluminium or opt for small versions of the traditional French Easel design. If you're willing to forgo the easel, you can prop your panel against something, place it on your lap, or use a watercolour board on your canvas. Alternatively, consider a lightweight foldable camping mat instead of a chair, which can provide comfort without the bulk.
Paints and Palettes
Carrying heavy tubes of paint can weigh you down quickly. Instead, pre-prepare your palette with generous amounts of paint before you leave your studio, bringing only the essential colours. You can also purchase lightweight palettes, such as the Paint Saver Palette, which allows you to store unused paint in the freezer for later use. If using pastels, follow Aaron Schuerr's example and break them in half to maximise the number of colours you can bring while minimising weight.
Brushes and Tools
Look for lightweight, compact brush options, such as telescoping brushes, which take up less space and weigh less. Consider multi-purpose tools, such as long picks attached to the feet of your easel, which can help stabilise it in the ground while also serving other functions.
Panels and Canvases
Heavy panels and canvases can add significant weight to your setup. Opt for lightweight alternatives like the RayMar Feather Lite panel, which is only 1/16 inch thick and weighs a few ounces. Alternatively, use loose canvas taped to a board, allowing you to choose the size and weight of your painting surface.
Travel Light
Finally, remember that travelling light is a key principle of plein air painting. Bring only the essentials, and consider the weight, height adjustment, and carrying capacity of your setup. Leave behind any non-essential items, and you'll find yourself more mobile, comfortable, and ready to paint in the great outdoors!
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Use a lightweight easel
When it comes to plein air painting, weight is a crucial factor to consider, especially if you plan to travel long distances or fly with your equipment. A lightweight easel can significantly reduce the overall weight of your setup, making your plein air painting experience more enjoyable and comfortable. Here are some benefits and recommendations for choosing a lightweight easel:
Benefits of a Lightweight Easel
A lightweight easel is advantageous for plein air painting as it minimizes the burden of carrying heavy equipment, allowing you to travel lighter and explore a variety of locations with ease. This is especially useful if you enjoy painting outdoors in natural settings, as you won't be weighed down by bulky items. A lightweight easel also reduces the risk of strain or fatigue from carrying heavy loads, ensuring that you can focus on your art rather than the weight of your gear.
Recommended Lightweight Easels
Several lightweight easels are popular among plein air painters, offering portability and functionality:
- Open Box M: This easel is a favourite among many artists due to its lightweight design, compact size, and durability. It fits easily into a backpack and can be set up quickly, making it ideal for hiking and painting in various outdoor locations.
- En Plein Air Pro: This easel packs down into a lightweight duffel bag, making it convenient for travel. It sets up in just two minutes and is stable in windy conditions, accommodating uneven ground. The backpack version is perfect for air travel as it fits under the seat.
- Plein Air Pro for Watercolor: This lightweight option is easy to assemble and comes with its own palette and a spacious duffle bag to carry all your essentials.
- Strada Mini: Specifically designed for oil painting, this lightweight easel is perfect for flying as it fits in your backpack. It's easy to assemble and pack, making it a convenient choice for plein air painters.
- Aluminium Box Easels: These easels are a modern take on the traditional French easel, offering a lighter alternative due to their aluminium construction. They are a good choice if you prefer the French easel design but want to reduce weight.
When choosing a lightweight easel, consider your specific needs, such as the type of paint, the canvas size, and the features that will make your plein air painting experience more enjoyable and productive.
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Pack only essential items
When preparing for plein air painting, it is important to pack only the essential items to reduce weight and increase comfort. Here are some tips to help you lighten your load:
Choose lightweight equipment
Select lightweight and portable art supplies to make your plein air painting experience more enjoyable. Opt for a lightweight easel, such as an aluminium easel or a lightweight version of the traditional French Easel design. Alternatively, you can follow the example of some artists who choose to paint without an easel, propping their panels against something or placing them on their laps. If you prefer using an easel, consider modifying a lightweight easel like the Strada easel to suit your needs.
Limit your paint selection
Minimise the number of paint colours you bring. Pastelists, for example, may desire a wide range of colours, but the limitations of plein air painting may require you to choose a smaller selection of colours that you can carry easily. You can also break pastels in half to maximise the number of colours you can bring. Additionally, pre-prepare your palette with generous amounts of paint before leaving your studio. This saves weight and allows you to focus more on your painting rather than constantly stopping to squeeze paint from tubes. Only bring half-full tubes, and consider leaving the tubes at home altogether, using a palette knife instead.
Opt for lightweight panels
Choose lightweight panels for your paintings. RayMar's Feather Lite panels, for example, are only 1/16 inch thick and weigh just a few ounces. These lightweight panels can provide the dual function of serving as a painting surface and a palette or notepad. Using loose canvas taped to a board is another option that allows you to choose the size of your painting and reduce weight.
Pack only necessary tools
Bring only the essential tools and consider multi-purpose items. For example, a walking pole can provide stability while hiking and painting outdoors. A Z-fold camping mat can provide comfort during your painting sessions and can be folded for easy transportation.
Plan your setup carefully
Consider the weight, height adjustment, and carrying capacity of your setup. Evaluate which items are necessary and remove anything that is not essential. For example, some artists choose to leave their stool or chair at home to reduce weight. If you require a seat, consider a lightweight option like a camping mat.
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Limit your palette
When painting en plein air, it is important to keep your equipment lightweight and portable. This means simplifying your palette and limiting the number of colours you take with you.
A basic rule of thumb for plein air painting is to use a smaller number of colours. A limited palette of warm and cool primary colours is a good starting point. You can also opt for a palette of muted earth colours, such as yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and ivory black, which harmonise naturally. These colours are great for creating lovely, atmospheric paintings. If you're looking to paint the brilliant, high-chroma colours of a sunset, you might need a different palette, such as a colour theory palette based on the colour wheel.
The physical size of your palette should also be considered. Ideally, your palette should be similar in size to the surface you are painting on. Since most outdoor painters work on smaller canvases, their palettes should be small as well. This is another reason to limit the number of colours you take with you.
When selecting colours for your palette, consider the subject of your painting. If you're painting in Sedona, Arizona, for example, you might want to include colours like terra rosa and yellow ochre to capture the red rocks. If you're painting flower gardens, you might add quinacridone magenta for roses.
It's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all palette for plein air painting. The colours you choose will depend on your personal preferences, the subject matter, and the lighting conditions. The key is to find a palette that allows you to capture the landscape with ease and efficiency.
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Use lightweight panels
When heading out for plein air painting, it is important to keep your setup lightweight and portable. While you may want to bring your entire studio with you, the reality is that you will need to carry all your equipment and supplies, so keeping things light will make your experience more enjoyable.
One way to lighten your load is to use lightweight panels. RayMar, for example, offers Feather Lite panels that are only 1/16 inch thick and weigh just a few ounces. The back of the board is covered in grey melamine, which can be used as a palette or to jot down plein air notes on light and colour with a permanent marker. Alternatively, you could use a lightweight easel with extra-long picks attached to its feet to set it deep into the ground so that the wind doesn't blow it over.
If you don't want to carry an easel, you can simply prop your panel against something, place it on your lap, or rest it against your backpack. You could also use a lightweight watercolour board to hold your paper or canvas, or even a Z-fold camping mat, which can be folded for comfort.
Another option is to use a small, lightweight digital camera to take photos in every direction as the light changes, rather than carrying a heavy setup. You can also use loose canvas and tape it to a board, allowing you to choose the size of your painting.
Finally, consider the weight of your paint tubes. Instead of carrying full tubes, bring only the essentials and half-full tubes. Pre-prepare your palette with generous amounts of paint before you leave your studio, so you have enough paint for the day and don't need to carry extra tubes.
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Frequently asked questions
You could try propping your panel against something, having it on your lap, or against your backpack. Alternatively, you could use a lightweight easel with extra-long picks attached to the feet to set it deep into the ground so that wind cannot blow it away.
You could use a Z-fold camping mat or a walking pole, which can be folded for comfort.
You could use half-full tubes of paint, or break pastels in half to reduce weight. You could also pre-prepare your palette with generous amounts of paint before leaving your studio, so you don't need to carry heavy paint tubes.
You could use loose canvas taped to a board, or a lightweight panel such as the RayMar Feather Lite panel, which weighs just a few ounces.
