Plein Air Painting: A Journey through Time and Space
What is Plein Air Painting? Plein Air painting is a French term that translates to “in the open air” or “outdoor painting.” It is an art practice of creating art while immersed in nature, painting on location, and capturing the ephemeral qualities of light and atmosphere.
Plein Air painting allows artists to experience the essence of their chosen subject and create artwork with a sense of immediacy and authenticity. The practice of Plein Air painting dates back to the late 18th century, but it gained popularity in the 19th century, and its influence continued into the present day.
Rise of Plein Air Painting among Impressionists
The Impressionists were one of the first groups of artists to embrace Plein Air painting. They sought to capture the fleeting qualities of light and color and how they transformed the landscape throughout the day.
The Impressionists moved away from the more traditional painting practices of the time and developed techniques that allowed them to paint quickly and spontaneously. Their goal was to create a realistic representation of the natural world, which they achieved through their masterful use of color and light.
The Barbizon school, a group of French Realist painters, greatly influenced the Impressionists’ approach to Plein Air painting. The Barbizon painters believed in painting directly from nature and creating works that reflected their connection to the landscape.
Their style was darker and more somber than that of the Impressionists, but they shared a similar belief in the importance of painting directly from nature.
Plein Air Painting in France
France is often considered the birthplace of Plein Air painting. In the mid-19th century, Theodore Rousseau, Charles-Francois Daubigny, and other members of the Barbizon school popularized outdoor painting.
Their influence on French artists, including Pierre-Aguste Renoir and Claude Monet, helped establish Plein Air painting as a crucial art movement. The French Impressionists, including Monet and Renoir, developed their unique style of Plein Air painting and popularized it worldwide.
They left their studios and went outside to capture the ever-changing light and atmosphere. They painted their surroundings with quick, expressive brushwork, and their works conveyed a sense of vibrancy and movement that was new to the art world.
Plein Air Painting in Italy
In Italy, the Macchiaioli group, a collective of painters from Florence, influenced the development of Plein Air painting. They believed in the importance of painting outdoors and taking an accurate representation of nature.
Their naturalistic approach was similar to that of the French Impressionists, and there was a connection between the two groups of artists. The Macchiaioli painters primarily depicted Italian life, landscape, and culture.
Their works often depicted the social and political issues of their time. They approached painting with a sense of freedom and spontaneity.
Like the Impressionists, they believed that painting should be an emotional experience rather than a technical exercise.
Plein Air Painting in England
In England, John Constable is often considered one of the first artists to use Plein Air painting. He developed his naturalistic style by being immersed in the beauty of the English countryside.
His approach was to capture the fleeting effects of light and weather on the natural world. His paintings depicted a clear blue sky, fluffy clouds, and rolling hills.
The Newlyn School, a group of artists who gathered in the small fishing village of Newlyn, embraced the practice of outdoor painting. Their works often depicted the life and work of fishermen, women at work, and other scenes of everyday life.
Edward Stott was another prominent English Plein Air painter. He painted during extreme outdoor conditions and depicted the wild and rugged beauty of the English countryside.
Plein Air Painting in North America
In North America, the Hudson River School of painters created some of the most stunning landscapes that captured the essence of the American wilderness. These artists often painted scenes of mountains, rivers, and the vast expanse of the American countryside.
They sought to capture the sense of grandeur and beauty of the American landscape. The American Impressionists, influenced by their French counterparts, used Plein Air painting techniques to capture the essence of different regions of North America.
Their works included images of urban life, rural landscapes, seascapes and waterscapes. They painted outside in the bright sunshine, capturing the reflections of light and the shifting colors of nature.
Conclusion
The art of Plein Air painting is a vibrant and dynamic practice that has influenced countless artists throughout history. From France to Italy, England to North America, artists have sought to capture the beauty and essence of nature by painting on location.
The practices and techniques developed by Impressionists and other Plein Air painters have left a lasting impact on the art world, and their works continue to inspire artists today.
Challenges and
Equipment for Plein Air Painting
Painting en Plein Air can be a challenging but fulfilling art practice. Artists must deal with a range of obstacles, including transportation of equipment and painting outdoors in changing weather conditions.
They also require specific equipment to make their art practice smoother and more efficient.
Challenges of Painting en Plein Air
One of the significant challenges of Plein Air painting is transporting equipment. Painting materials such as canvases, easels, brushes, and paints can be cumbersome and challenging to move around.
Artists must need to make sure they have everything they need to complete their work efficiently and carry out their painting practice. They also need to take into consideration the location and accessibility of their painting area.
The weather is another challenge for outdoor painters. Rain and wind can ruin a painting in progress, making it difficult for artists to complete their work.
Artists must need to find ways to protect their artwork from harsh weather conditions. They may need to pack extra materials to keep their paintings dry in case of unexpected rainfall.
Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also essential to protect artists from the sun’s rays while painting outside for long periods.
Equipment for Plein Air Painting
The primary equipment needed for Plein Air painting is an easel. There are different types of easels available, but the most popular are box easels and French box easels.
Box easels are generally smaller and more portable than French box easels but provide less storage space. Box easels are ideal for artists who want to travel light and compactly.
French box easels, on the other hand, offer more storage space for artists to store their materials and are more stable than box easels. They have the bonus of being customizable and can be tailored to suit artists’ specific needs.
They are ideal for artists using oil paints and painting on larger canvases. Another useful piece of equipment used in Plein Air painting is the Pochade Box.
A Pochade Box is a smaller, more compact easel that is self-contained. They provide an all-in-one solution for plein air painters, with paint compartments, brush holders, and a small easel.
The Pochade Box is suitable for artists looking for a compact and efficient solution to painting outside. Wet canvases can also be a problem for Plein Air painters.
Transporting wet canvases can be a challenge, as they can stick together and potentially ruin the artwork. To prevent this, artists often use a device called a wet panel carrier.
They are storage boxes made of lightweight materials designed to keep the wet paintings separate and safe from any damage.
Famous Plein Air Painters
Many famous artists throughout history have embraced Plein Air painting. Each has their unique styles and techniques, but all have been inspired by the beauty and atmosphere of the outdoors.
John Constable was one of the first pioneers of outdoor painting. He painted the English countryside, capturing the light and movement of the landscape around him.
He had a signature lightness of touch that made his paintings stand out from his contemporaries. Claude Monet, the French Impressionist master, is considered one of the most famous Plein Air painters of all time.
His obsession with light and color is evident in his paintings, which capture the natural light and shadow of the environment in which he painted. His Water Lilies series and Haystacks series are examples of his masterful techniques and understanding of light and color.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was another famous Plein Air painter who was influenced by the Barbizon school of painters. He used rapid brushstrokes to capture the atmospheric conditions of his surroundings.
One of his most famous paintings, The Gust of Wind, depicts the movement and energy of a windy day. The Seine at Champrosay is another signature piece that captures the natural environment and light during different times of the day.
In
Conclusion
Plein Air painting is a unique and challenging art practice that requires specific techniques and equipment. Despite its challenges, many artists throughout history have been inspired by the beauty and atmosphere of the outdoors.
From transportable easels to wet panel carriers, there are various pieces of equipment that make Plein Air painting simpler. Famous painters such as John Constable, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir have left a lasting legacy in the art world through their mastery of Plein Air painting.
Modern Plein Air Painters: Capturing the Essence of the Outdoors
Plein Air painting has a rich history that dates back centuries, but its allure continues to inspire artists today. Modern Plein Air painters have not only embraced the techniques and traditions of their predecessors, but they have also brought their unique perspectives and styles to the practice.
In this section, we will explore the works and approaches of several contemporary Plein Air painters who continue to capture the essence of the outdoors in their art. Brian Shields is a modern Plein Air painter who seeks to create sensory experiences through his artwork.
He believes that painting en Plein Air allows him to capture both the visual and emotional essence of a place. Shields often paints on location, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of his surroundings.
By painting in the moment, he is able to capture the fleeting memories of a specific time and place. Shields then uses these outdoor experiences as inspiration for larger, more developed works in his studio.
Through his unique process, Shields is able to create artwork that transports viewers back to the time and place of the original painting, evoking a sense of nostalgia and emotion. David Grossmann is known for his evocative landscapes that blend old and new painting techniques.
He often paints in the tradition of the Hudson River School, capturing the grandeur and beauty of the natural world. However, Grossmann also incorporates contemporary elements into his work, giving his landscapes a sense of modernity and relevance.
His paintings often depict scenes of peace and shelter, offering viewers a respite from the chaos of everyday life. Grossmann’s unique blend of traditional and contemporary techniques creates a sense of timelessness in his artwork, reminding viewers of the enduring power of the natural world.
Frances B. Ashforth approaches Plein Air painting by combining field and studio work to create artwork that explores memories and emotions.
She often begins her process by sketching outdoors, capturing the essence of a place through quick, observational drawings. Ashforth then brings these sketches back to her studio, where she combines them with her memories and emotions associated with the location.
The result is a unique blend of the physical and the emotional, with each painting representing a personal connection to a specific place. Ashforth’s work often features a prominent horizon line, symbolizing the connection between the earth and the sky, and the ever-present sense of possibility that exists in nature.
Jane Shoenfeld is a modern Plein Air painter who specializes in using the pastel medium to create abstract works that capture the energy and emotion of the natural world. She often works quickly and instinctively, allowing the landscapes to guide the direction of her artwork.
Shoenfeld’s pieces are vibrant and expressive, with bold strokes and vibrant colors that mirror the intensity of the outdoor environment. Her goal is not to replicate the physical appearance of a landscape, but to capture its essence, its feelings, and its energy.
By working en Plein Air with pastels, Shoenfeld is able to create artwork that is alive and dynamic, inviting viewers to experience the beauty and power of nature through an abstract lens. In
Conclusion
Modern Plein Air painters are carrying on the tradition established by their predecessors while bringing their unique perspectives and styles to the practice.
Artists like Brian Shields, David Grossmann, Frances B. Ashforth, and Jane Shoenfeld continue to capture the essence of the outdoors through their artwork.
Whether it’s through sensory experiences, blending traditional and contemporary techniques, exploring memories and emotions, or creating abstract interpretations, these painters push the boundaries of Plein Air painting, creating artwork that resonates with viewers and reminds us of the enduring beauty and power of nature. In conclusion, Plein Air painting has a rich history that continues to inspire artists today.
From its rise among the Impressionists to its popularity in different regions such as France, Italy, England, and North America, Plein Air painting has left a significant impact on the art world. Challenges such as transporting equipment and dealing with changing weather conditions have led to the development of specific equipment and techniques to overcome them.
Additionally, the contributions of famous Plein Air painters like John Constable, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir have solidified the importance of capturing the essence of nature in art. Moreover, modern Plein Air painters such as Brian Shields, David Grossmann, Frances B.
Ashforth, and Jane Shoenfeld continue to push the boundaries of the practice, employing unique approaches and styles. Plein Air painting serves as a reminder of the enduring power and beauty of the natural world, inviting viewers to experience and appreciate the world around them with a new perspective.