QUICK PLEIN AIR SKETCHES By: Artists Network Staff
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Acrylic paints are perfect for capturing beautiful outdoor light effects with quick plein air sketches. Here, artist Joe Gyurcsak offers his field-tested tips for painting a scene with speed and economy in order to keep up with the changing light. When we go outdoors to paint in the field, we are engaging all the senses. Painting quick plein air studies is invaluable for recording light sensations, and the process strengthens our visual memory. The experience requires quick decision-making in order to keep up with the changing light. For this reason, acrylic paints are an excellent medium for these studies. The paints are fast drying and permanent, and can be manipulated to produce a full range of opacity from opaque to transparent. Each lighting situation produces unique atmospheric conditions, especially depending on the time of day, the season and the various weather conditions. By utilizing multi-layering techniques within paint passages, artists can emulate the naturally occurring light effects that we encounter in various outdoor conditions.
To get started painting plein air sketches in acrylic, there are some important strategies that will contribute to your success. Here, I’ve outlined a full list of tips I’ve picked up from more than 30 years of outdoor painting experience.
TOOLKIT Paints: Utrecht Artists’ Acrylic Colors: titanium white, unbleached titanium, cadmium yellow light, cadmium orange, cadmium red medium, burnt sienna, brilliant blue, cobalt blue, Hooker’s green, dioxazine purple and Payne’s gray
Surface: Blick 3/8-inch thick Premier Artist Panel (12×12) Brushes: Nos. 2, 6, 8 and 10 Blick Masterstroke interlocking bristle filberts and No. 6 Golden Taklon short handle round
Miscellaneous: Blick 12×16-inch palette paper pad and a bag of rags
South East Asian Artists Magazine
