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Watercolour demo online
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Posted
I just discovered Squidoo.com and have decided to add watercolour painting illustrated step by step demos. So far there are only two........but its early days! If anyone is interested have a look at http://www.squidoo.com/paintalong and http://www.squidoo.com/paintalongclematis . Both have been tried out on my painting classes so I know that they work!
Let me know what you think and, if you have a go at painting, I would love to see how you get on.
Rachel
http://www.artbyrachel.co.uk
Posted
why paint so small? plein air work can be much larger, but i find 12"x10" suits me, and if not using a pochade box the size is not important as a travel easel will take many sizes, a good tip is to include some guy ropes and pegs(camping gear) to pin your easel down as i was painting the vale of Llanngollen in the wind and had my left hand holding the easel, brush in right hand and pallette on the ground! enjoy your adventures you will love it :-D
Posted
For rural landscapes, look on an OS map and find places where public footpaths are easily accessible from a public road. You'll need a wide grass verge, not too boggy, to park your car. I know plenty of places with potential for painting, and with access by public footpaths, but are unpaintable purely because you can't park a car in narrow country lanes.
Town centres are good, there's usually public seating you can use, you might get lots of onlookers if you have the full kit, big easel, floppy beret etc.
Avoid painting outside if there is thick cloud and no shadows - you end up with dull lifeless paintings.
Visiting a site for the first time, it's better to take just pencils, sketchbook and perhaps a small watercolour box. You don't need to waste time setting up oils (relatively fiddly) and you can explore the location and try lots of quick sketches. If the sites any good you can return later with a pochade.
Posted
I love painting en plein air.
I generally avoid car use as much as possible - but, as this had started to result in an excess of paintings of the same subject, I did start to use the car to get a little further away from home before hitting the footpaths.
My advice? Go for a nice long walk in advance to reconnoiter possible sites. Maps are good, but having been there before is better. You can do your reconnaisance when it's too cold to paint, too.
I wouldn't advise painting outdoors in the UK in December, not unless you are a lot tougher than me (I'm not that tough, actually).
I use a 45l rucksack loaded up with: a lightweight metal sketching easel, a folding stool from Homebase, a tough plastic box containing paint and knives*, a pad of disposable palettes, kitchen roll, several plastic bags for rubbish - and provisions. A first aid kit, too, but I've never had to use it.
The canvas(es) go in a homemade cardboard box on the back of the rucksack.
Piccies here: kit on the beach
and here: making the box
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*Look, no solvents.
Posted
By the way, I find hillsides are good for lack of people. Especially access land where the footpath ... everywhere.
I try not to sit on footpaths. I'd get in the way.
Most people are reluctant to approach an artist at work. But those that do tend to be very polite. Some even buy the paintings... (link). Mine weren't lords or ladies (employees thereof, I believe).
Posted
Keith, Pat, Amanda, thank you for some very good practical advice. I'm hooked now! The tip about limited edition prints is such a good idea.
Amanda, you paint like I would like to paint. I'm not a great fan of replicating detail aka fine art; although I admire the skill and effort involved. I adore colour and texture and painting alla prima outdoors is going to encourage me to forget about the small detail.
The watercolour idea is so obvious - why I didn't think of that I don't know? I've got 2 pocket watercolour sets, both artist quality too. I could certainly start out that way.
Thanks again.
I've got a wordpress site and a domain name. I just need to finish setting it up then I'll populate it. Looking forward to it.
David