AMANDA BRETT WATERCOLOUR ARTIST
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​Paintbox Tips, secrets, thoughts, scribblings
and doodles on art, ​my life as an artist,
​travels and musings!! 

Plein Air Secrets - Paintbox tip #5

4/9/2017

 
Amanda Brett artistIt's amazing who I meet when I'm out painting!!
There’s nothing easy about painting watercolour en plein air but, for me, it is an exhilarating and fun experience.    
 
My early attempts, however, were difficult and my paintings absolutely atrocious! It seemed to take me forever to get to grips with this new style of painting in the great outdoors.
 
Without realising, I was faithfully following the 80/20 rule, 80% observation 20% drawing /painting. Later it dawned on me this rule does not apply to painting watercolour en plein air - I was trying to follow a guideline for the constant situation of studio/observational drawing from life.
 
When painting in the field, from the time you select your subject to your end-game, the painter has about 1-1.5 hours, 2 hours at most, to capture the subject before light and atmospheric conditions change too much. No mean feat but, if you practice, you will improve every time.
 
Another element to consider is the subject. My first attempts at painting  en plein air  were with groups of artists who love painting landscapes. For me, it was a big problem. Although I love good quality landscape paintings, I’m not interested in painting them myself. I’m a city girl afterall, I’m attuned to light and shadows bouncing around architecture and the people who inhabit amazing spaces. Just think of Lisa Douglas (Eva Gabor) and you'll have hit your nail on the head!
 
I often tell my students to slow their painting process down but in the case of painting watercolour en plein air, I’m going to contradict myself and tell you to speed up! Speed up so you catch the light and changing conditions. Give yourself 5 minutes, and only 5 minutes, to take photos and sketch 1 or 2 value thumbnails and most importantly, take a mental snapshot. Make your memory work for you and, even if you think your result is "wrong", your work will be formed of the essence of your subject. Perfetto!! What a great excuse to go out and paint it again!! Your next work at the same scene will include different features and details and the next different again. 

My personal strategy is to map the subject onto my watercolour paper with a 5 minute sketch and then not refer to the actual scene again. I am painting my interpretation of the scene not a photograph. Changing light and shadows become mighty confusing and create confusing paintings.
 
Learn the tools you need to assist you:
  • Perspective drawing using a pencil to measure angles.
  • create 5 minute value thumbnail sketches.
  • Develop your composition skills.
  • Learn to understand the relationships within your painting.
  • Most importantly have fun and remind yourself that painting en plein air is a great sketching tool for studio work.
 
 x
Amanda​

Rob McDowell link
18/11/2017 02:02:56

Hi, Amanda. Good posts, and I like your fresh, free and joyful w/cs, particularly the big leading one. I think they have feeling and style. Regards, Rob

Amanda Brett link
26/11/2017 21:50:10

Thanks so much Rob!!


Comments are closed.
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    Amanda Brett Watercolour Artist

    Paintbox Tips, secrets, thoughts, scribblings and doodles on art, my life as an artist, travels and musings!! www.amandabrett.net

    ​Copyright 2018 All images and text on Amanda's blog and website are the legal property of Amanda Brett and may not be reproduced without express permission, thanks for respecting my art and creativity.

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Amanda Brett - Watercolour Artist

Quality Guarantee: All my watercolours are painted with only modern professional grade watercolour paints on Museum exhibition grade watercolour papers, they are extremely lightfast and will become a family heirloom and passed down to subsequent generations. If​ properly cared for, watercolour paintings will last as long, if not longer, than oil paintings. I only paint on 100% cotton rag paper, mostly Arches and Fabriano, and frame to conservation standard with acid free materials.
Copyright © 2021 All images and text on Amanda's blog and website are the legal property of Amanda Brett and may not be reproduced without express permission from Amanda Brett or her authorised agent. Thank you for respecting her art and the livelihood of all artists.
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  • Home
    • About Me >
      • More About Me & Watercolour >
        • What I See
  • Gallery
    • New Original Paintings
    • Lucca watercolour paintings
    • Art For Sale - en Plein Air
    • Art For Sale - Glamping & Kombis
    • Art For Sale - ICONIC New Zealand
    • Art For Sale - STILL LIFE
    • Studio
  • Shop
    • SHOP New Original Paintings
    • Shop Limited Edition Prints
    • Gift Certificates
  • Tuition
    • Video Lessons
    • Beginners One day Workshops
    • Watercolour Weekly Classes
    • Paintbox Tips
    • Feedback & Photos
    • FAQs
  • Contact
    • News
  • Subscribe
  • Members