Marcus Chen
Plein air painting, also known as painting en plein air, is a French term that means in the open air or outside. It refers to the act of painting outdoors and capturing the landscape or subject in its natural environment. The practice of painting en plein air became popular in the 19th century with the invention of portable easels, paint tubes, and synthetic pigments, allowing artists to venture into nature and paint directly from life. This method of painting is known for its spontaneity and freshness, as artists must adapt to the changing light, weather, and environmental conditions. Today, plein air painting continues to flourish, with artists coming together for paint-out excursions and workshops dedicated to this style.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Painting outdoors |
| French Translation | Out of doors |
| History | The practice goes back centuries but was made into an art form by French Impressionists in the 19th century |
| Pioneers | John Constable, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Frédéric Bazille, Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes |
| Benefits | Allows artists to capture the changing details of weather and light |
| Challenges | Environmental conditions, animals, bugs, onlookers, type of paint used |
| Techniques | Working back to front, inside to outside, under to over, defining a focal point |
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What You'll Learn
Painting outdoors
To paint outdoors, artists must consider the logistics of their chosen location and the supplies they will need. It is important to understand the subject of the painting and define a focal point to build the composition around. Artists may also need to adapt to different types of light, such as direct sunlight, overcast skies, or reflected light, and choose the appropriate paint for the environmental conditions. For example, acrylic paint may dry quickly in warm, sunny weather, while painting in moist or damp conditions with precipitation presents a different set of challenges.
Plein air painting is often associated with the Impressionist movement of the 19th century, with artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille advocating for this style. These artists were drawn to painting landscapes and contemporary life, capturing the diffuse light under large white umbrellas. The practice of painting outdoors allowed them to develop a lighter and brighter manner of painting, extending the Realism of Gustave Courbet and the Barbizon school.
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The history of en plein air
The theory of 'en plein air' painting is credited to Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes (1750–1819), first expounded in a treatise titled "Reflections and Advice to a Student on Painting, Particularly on Landscape" (1800). He developed the concept of landscape portraiture by which the artist paints directly onto canvas in situ within the landscape, enabling the artist to better capture the changing details of weather and light.
In the 1830s, the Barbizon School in France, which included Charles-François Daubigny and Théodore Rousseau, used the practice of en plein air to depict the changing appearance of light accurately as weather conditions altered. This movement was characterised by its interest in depicting nature as they saw it, rather than in an idealistic style.
In the early 1860s, four young painters, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille, met while studying under the academic artist Charles Gleyre. They discovered they shared an interest in painting landscapes and contemporary life, and they often ventured into the countryside together to paint in the open air. They could paint in sunlight directly from nature, and, making use of the vivid synthetic pigments that were available, they began to develop a lighter and brighter manner of painting that extended further the Realism of Gustave Courbet and the Barbizon school.
En plein air painting spread beyond France, with American Impressionists such as Guy Rose, Robert William Wood, and Mary DeNeale Morgan embracing the style in the late 19th century. In the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Russian painters such as Vasily Polenov, Isaac Levitan, and Valentin Serov were also known for painting en plein air.
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Challenges of painting en plein air
En plein air, French for "in the open air", is the act of painting outdoors. The theory of 'en plein air' painting is credited to Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, who, in 1800, developed the concept of landscape portraiture by which the artist paints directly onto the canvas in situ within the landscape. The invention of portable canvases, easels, and paint tubes allowed the practice to develop, particularly in France, and in the early 1830s the Barbizon School of painting in natural light was highly influential.
Painting en plein air comes with its own set of challenges:
Environmental Factors: One of the biggest challenges of painting en plein air is dealing with the ever-changing environmental factors such as light, weather, wind, rain, and heat. The Impressionists were fascinated by the ever-changing light, which forces the artist to work fast and adapt their techniques. Artists have to quickly capture the moment and make quick decisions, which can be daunting for beginners.
Choosing a Subject: When working en plein air, artists can be overwhelmed by the 360-degree scene of a stunning landscape. Artists must choose which details of the scene to focus on and simplify it as much as possible.
Type of Paint: The type of paint used can also be a challenge. Acrylic paint may harden and dry quickly in warm, sunny weather and cannot be reused. On the other hand, painting in moist or damp conditions with precipitation can also be difficult. The traditional method of painting en plein air uses oil paint, which became more accessible to artists with the invention of paint tubes in the 19th century.
Unpredictability: Unlike in a controlled studio environment, painting en plein air means dealing with unpredictable factors such as animals, bugs, and onlookers. This requires the artist to be adaptable and responsive to their surroundings.
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The benefits of painting en plein air
En plein air, a French expression that translates to "in the open air", involves painting outdoors, amidst nature and its elements. This method of painting is credited to Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, who, in 1800, developed the concept of landscape portraiture, wherein the artist paints directly onto the canvas in situ within the landscape.
Unparalleled engagement with nature
Painting en plein air allows artists to engage directly with the multifaceted beauty of the natural world. The changing light, fluctuating weather, and vitality of the landscape can breathe life into an artwork in ways that photographs or indoor sessions can't replicate.
Accelerated skill development
Painting outdoors teaches artists to work quickly and adapt to the environment, fostering confidence and unique interpretive skills that transfer to studio painting. The challenges posed by en plein air painting, such as rendering reflections or dealing with environmental conditions, encourage artists to develop new techniques and a looser, more gestural style.
Enhanced artistic process
Taking artistry outdoors offers unique opportunities for growth and inspiration. Artists can observe and interpret nature firsthand, picking up tips and techniques that might be harder to discover within the confines of a studio.
Capturing the essence of a scene
En plein air painters seek to capture the essence of a scene in its natural state, embracing the imperfections and spontaneity that come with painting outdoors. This approach results in artworks prized for their freshness and spontaneity.
Creative freedom and community
The development of portable art supplies, such as paint tubes, easels, and Pochade Boxes, has liberated artists from the confines of the studio. This freedom has fostered a flourishing trend, with artists coming together for ""paint out" excursions and workshops devoted to en plein air painting.
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Techniques for painting en plein air
En plein air is a French expression that means "in the open air". The theory of en plein air painting is credited to Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes, who first expounded on it in his 1800 treatise, "Reflections and Advice to a Student on Painting, Particularly on Landscape". The practice, however, became viable for more artists in the 1800s with the invention of portable canvases, easels, and paint tubes.
Choosing a Location:
Consider the landscape, weather conditions, and how light and shadows play on your subject. The right location can set the tone for your painting session. For instance, if you're looking for dramatic shadows, the early morning or late afternoon hours might be the best time to paint. It is also recommended to choose a location without many people, especially if you are new to plein air painting.
Dealing with Light:
Understanding different light sources and their effects is crucial for plein air painting. Direct sunlight, overcast skies, window light, candlelight, and electric light all have distinct qualities. When painting en plein air, you need to quickly capture the moment and adapt your technique as the light changes. Before you start painting, take time to observe the scene's light and shadows, colours, and textures.
Reflections:
Still water on lakes, ponds, and rivers presents the challenge of painting reflections. In plein air painting, you must analyse and render these reflections on the spot, often in a looser, more gestural way. Unless the reflection is your main subject, try rendering it as a large tonal mass of colour rather than many individual strokes. Remember that reflections are always darker than the object itself.
Brushwork and Painting Quickly:
Plein air painting encourages a loose and expressive brushwork style. It requires using your whole arm, not just your hand. When painting, focus on finding the large shapes and blocking them in with three basic contrasts (dark, light, medium) before adding details at the end. Painting quickly helps you seize fleeting moments of light and atmosphere and enhances your intuitive decision-making process.
Paint Type:
The traditional method of painting en plein air uses oil paint. Acrylic paint may harden and dry quickly in warm, sunny weather and cannot be reused. On the other hand, painting with acrylics in moist or damp conditions can be challenging as well.
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Frequently asked questions
En plein air is a French term that means 'in the open air' or 'outside'. It refers to the practice of painting outdoors, capturing the landscape or setting on canvas.
Painting outdoors comes with challenges like changing light, weather, animals, bugs, and onlookers. Artists also need to consider the type of paint used—acrylic paint, for example, dries quickly in warm, sunny weather and doesn't work well in damp conditions.
Painting en plein air allows artists to capture the changing details of weather and light, and to paint ordinary life and real-life subjects. It offers a sense of freedom and spontaneity, and artists can connect with nature and their surroundings.
Beginners should spend time understanding what they want to paint and define a focal point. It's also important to be organized and deliberate, and to have a sense of humour while painting outdoors to keep things simple and enjoyable.
