Sometimes creative natures speak a language completely incomprehensible to mere mortals. Well, for example, what actions can be expected from the artist when he says: "Today I go to the open air"? This means that he will dress simpler, throw a backpack with a small supply of provisions over his shoulders, take a sketchbook with him, and go out to the church to worship in nature, that is, to write sketches. It turns out that! Well, these artists like to let fog in ...
Meaning of the word “plein air”
Let's see where this interesting word came from, and what is “open air” specifically. Like many other words of the modern Russian language, it was borrowed from a foreign language. It turns out that this expression came from the French en plein air, which in translation means "outdoors." If you go further in cognitive research and look into the explanatory dictionary, then you can read that the open air is:
1. Reflection of the air and natural light in painting.
2. The natural environment outside the room in which the painter works.
We add from ourselves that in our time, not only a master of painting, but also a person engaged in creative photography can be considered an artist. In this case, everything that is said about the open air regarding painting has the same relation to photo shoots in nature.
What do you need for painting in the open air?
Since this article is addressed primarily to those people who are interested in the basics of painting and want to know better what a plein air is (professionals have known this for a long time), we will try to talk about materials and paints that are best suited for plein air painting.
1. Of course, you need to buy a sketchbook, small and light. It will contain a palette, paints, brushes, a palette knife and a solvent. It also fits perfectly sliced sheets of primed cardboard, which is best to write sketches in the open air. The spread-out sketchbook with extended legs is used by artists as an easel.
2. When choosing paints, it is best to give preference to oil. They are easiest to work with. Watercolors and other pictorial materials will require special skills, so we do not recommend using it for beginners. After all, you are going to the open air! What is it but pleasure? Why complicate your task?
3. Of brushes, those made of natural bristles are best suited. Both flat tools of different sizes and round ones will be required. Do not forget to take a solvent for oil paints and more rags to wipe your hands and brushes.
4. The venerable artists always take with them to the open air a special large folding umbrella. Take an example from them! In clear weather, it will protect you from sunburn, and in cloudy weather it will protect you from rain.
The best examples of plein air painting
Now that you know that the open air is a painting in the open air, and is fully equipped to engage in this type of creativity, you can hit the road. But before embarking on nature studies, we advise you to study the creative experience of the best impressionists.
It is best to unravel all the secrets of plein air painting it turned out with them. Artists such as Claude Monet, Pissarro, Eduard Manet, Frederic Bazil, Paul Signac, Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and of the Russians - Konstantin Korovin, perfectly understood the laws of a changeable light play of colors and were able to convey it on their canvases. Look at the reproductions of their paintings, in them a novice artist can learn a lot of useful things.
Curious facts
It turns out that before the painting in the open air came into fashion, artists engaged in the preparation of paints on their own, in their workshops. Thanks to the widespread enthusiasm for plein air, oil paints began to be produced in tubes. Indeed, in this form they were very easy to carry.
Another interesting fact: plein air is not only painting in nature, but also music. Yes, yes, when concerts are held outdoors.
Photoshoot in the open air
Nowadays, almost everyone has cameras. In any case, at least ordinary soap dishes. But not everyone has an expensive SLR camera. But if you got an excellent SLR, then you can be on the shoulder of a real, professional plein air photo shoot. What it is? The same as open-air painting, but instead of paints, brushes and canvas, a camera is used.
Just think how beautiful nature is! And sometimes you want to take a piece of this beauty with you when walking through the forest or along the edge of the surf. Not everyone is allowed to become a painter, but almost anyone can learn how to use a camera. But do not think that a photo shoot in the open air is a simple matter. A photographer must know and be able to do a lot in order to get great shots. You may even have to sign up for some photo courses first. But the main thing, of course, is practice. We wish you success in your work in the open air!