I never thought much of doing landscape or plein air painting as I don’t really like to draw or paint outside. I like to go on hikes, collect things, take photos, and grow stuff in my back yard. Lugging all my drawing supplies even at a minimum is not really for me. At best I will carry a sketchbook and a mechanical pencil or ink pen and that’s about it. I am currently teaching online classes and one of the assignments is learning about aerial perspective. Aerial perspective creates depth by the atmosphere making things lighter as they fade towards the horizon line. All landscape painters utilize this concept in their paintings. It can also be used in Botanical and Natural Science art.
Since I have been teaching these classes I have had to produce samples and demos for the students. I recently did this one and have to say that I am happy with it. It is giving me some ideas for some of my bird paintings. I usually paint my subjects on a white background but doing these small graphite drawings is giving me inspiration to incorporate them into a painting. I am not sure where I am going with it but I thought I would share it with you.
Do you like to paint plein air? Let me know how you study your subjects.
I have a new Foundation Drawing Class starting April 15. If you are interested in learning to draw, click here.