Plein air on a shoestring

Budget plein air setup, originally uploaded by bbmowery.

Plein air (French for "open air") is a term used to describe paintings with an open-air feeling, especially artwork that is painted outdoors. The term is often applied to the Impressionists. These paintings capture and preserve a moment in time. Thus the painters work quickly, racing against the changing light.

If you are interested in trying your hand at plein air painting, the costs associated with all the specialized equipment can be prohibitive. So I offer you my guide to creating the $30 (or less) outdoor studio. Many of these items you may already have around your home. The photo above shows my basic plein air setup:

1. Easel - I got this at Michael's for $15, but I have seen the same one at WalMart for $10. It's lightweight and easy to assemble and store.

2. Work table - This tv tray came as part of a set. It's kind of heavy, but it's sturdy and gives me a place to set my paint palette, water dish, and other supplies. If I really wanted to spread out, I could bring a second one and set it up nearby.

3. Sunscreen - Not pictured but vital. If you want to do outdoor painting, please protect your skin. Throw a bottle of high SPF sunscreen in your tote bag. A lot of plein air painters wear wide brimmed hats, long pants, and long sleeve shirts, no matter the temperature. And some have special sun shade umbrellas that attach to their easels.

4. Bag of supplies - I like L.L. Bean's boat totes, but if you're planning to hike into the wilds, you will probably want a backpack to save you the extra trips back and forth from the car. In my tote bag I have my paints, a sketch pad, extra canvas panels, bug spray, and a trash bag. I also use an old plastic toolbox for my brushes, pencils, painting knives, and other small things I don't want floating around loose in the bag.



5. Waste water container - If you are using watercolors, acrylics, or another water-based paint, collect your dirty water in a containter to dispose of at home. It is better for your waste water to be flushed away to a waste water treatment facility than for it to be poured into the groundwater.

Otherwise, what you take with you painting is really up to you. Spend a few minutes thinking about what you need in your studio to paint comfortably. If you are not able to stand for long periods of time, pack a folding chair. If you do not usually paint on an easel, bring a second tv tray instead and work flat. You may also want to streamline your art supplies. Instead of 10 brushes and 25 tubes of paint, you may decide to bring 3 brushes and 10 tubes of paint.



Be creative! I made a paper towel dispenser using a bungee cord. And I clipped my canvas panel to the easel using a large binder clip. Now my paper towels and canvas will not blow away. I also have a plastic plate for a paint palette to make for easier cleanup. I like to bring a camera, too. In case I don't quite finish my painting, I can work on it at home using the pictures.

Be safe! When you're first starting out, choose public locations with higher people traffic. Make sure a contact person knows where you are painting and give them a call when you get home. If you leave the hatchback or trunk of your car open for a long period of time, make sure the interior dome light is turned off, so you don't get stuck with a dead battery. If you are hiking out into a more remote area, bring a painting buddy and a cell phone and plenty of water.

Have fun! And if you discover that you really enjoy plein air painting, then you may decide to invest in some nice equipment. But this guide should get you started and help you decide if plein air is right for you!