1. Don't take too much
Only bring what you know you're going to need. Keep your supplies light. You don't want to be weighed down by things you're not going to use. How many paintbrushes do you really need? Will you definitely need ten, or will you manage with one or two? What about colours? Do you have to bring every colour under the sun? Surely you won't use them all? Limit your palette and experiment with mixing colours on site - you never know what colours you might end up using.
2. Use a portable case
If you have a portable case, use it. If you don't have one, buy one. Having all your supplies in one case will make things a lot easier. Pochade boxes, which you can carry things in, can also act as easels. Many portable easels are lightweight and even have storage boxes built-in. You don't want to be carrying lots of supplies about. It's much easier having everything easily accessible in one place. Having a case will also encourage you to bring fewer supplies with you.
3. Avoid wearing sunglasses
Even if it's really sunny, you shouldn't wear sunglasses. The reason? Wearing sunglasses gives you an inaccurate impression of light. Sunglasses change colour balance, so what you paint won't necessarily be accurate in terms of colour. If you want an accurate and completely realistic painting, complete it without wearing sunglasses. If you want to shield your eyes from the sun while painting, wear a hat instead.
4. Take photos for future reference
Many artists like adding finishing touches to plein air paintings at home. To help with this, take your smartphone or camera with you when you paint outdoors. Photographs capture everything about a landscape, from the smallest to the largest details. Using photographs can help you add finishing touches without compromising on quality and accuracy. They can also help you while you work on your painting on-site.
5. Start small
If you're new to plein air painting, it's worth starting off small. Make your first few paintings on smaller canvases. This way, you get to practice and hone your skills. One of the main aspects of plein air painting is that light changes, so sometimes you might have to work with time against you. Once you've got used to changing light and have mastered the skill of making adjustments, then you should be able to complete larger paintings on-site without encountering problems.
Joanne Perkins is a Berkshire-based artist with a BA (Hons) in
Fine Art. She specialises in painting Berkshire landscapes and loves
capturing the natural beauty of her local countryside. She is happy to
accept all queries and questions. For more information about Joanne, her
work and her current projects visit: http://joannesberkshirescenes.com/default.aspx Joanne can be found on Facebook
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