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Plein Air Painting  or ‘En Plein air’ is a French expression which means ‘open air’.  It is the practice of creating an art outdoors. The primary focus of Plein air painting is to paint in a more natural environment.

It is a technique of object depicting with natural light and in natural conditions. This is one of the most effective techniques for improving creative skills of students.

 

HISTORY OF PLEIN AIR PAINTING

John Constable in England and the French Barbizon School practised this art. It was in the early to mid 19th century.

The Impressionists made it famous later.

Most of the 19th-century artists were not opinionated about what and where they performed the art.

They often initiated the art outside and finished it in the studio or vice versa. However, a true Plein air painting is completed on the site with the subject in front.

Plein air painting does not abide by the narrative studio depiction. It means embracing nature directly.

 

BREAKING THE STEREOTYPE

The outdoor works have its own specific features and capabilities to achieve professional excellence.

In fact, Plein air painting need not always mean painting outdoor landscapes and scenic beauty.

It may also mean painting the surrounding with any subject. Likewise, the subject could be people, artefacts or object in a room.

PLEIN AIR PAINTING TECHNIQUES

DIRECT SUNLIGHT:

The types of light on a sunny day are the sun, blue sky and reflected light from radiant objects.

In short, these factors are considered at work.

OVERCAST LIGHT:

Clouds diffuse sunlight and remove high contrast of shadow.

Moreover, it lets the painting be in its true colours. There is no overpowering contrast of light or shadow.

HOURS OF DARKNESS AND STREETLIGHT:

We see the different spectrum of lights while flying over a city. There are many sources of light in today’s time. These mostly include moonlight, LED lights, neon, incandescent, neon, fluorescent etc.

 

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED?

An artist should have strong artistic and creative skills. Moreover, sharp observational skills and good memory power are blessings.

Also, emotional commitment to the story produces better art.

Likewise, we determine the skills by ‘presence of freedom in the creative manifestation’.

 

WHAT IS THE AFTERMATH?

Plein air sketching let artists showcase their knowledge and proficiency on the different techniques.

In addition, this technique contributes to the development of qualities. These are observational skills, creative capability, thorough perception of nature etc.

As a matter of fact, artists can compose their own portfolio.

Not to mention, it is always easier for a Plein air painting artist to depict the atmosphere and mood of a chosen site.

 

ARE THERE ANY CONTRADICTION?

PAST CONTRADICTIONS IN PLEIN AIR PAINTING:

Back in the 1800s, the paint was a lot different than it is today.

Uniquely, the artists made their own paint. They usually hunted for natural pigments and grounded into pulp. Additionally, they carried the paint in binders. The artists finished their paintings in 1 or 2 days to avoid drying of the palette.

In fact, can you imagine the amount of hard work they had to put in? All things considered, they sold the paint in tubes. It gave them enormous relief. Not to mention, they had enough time to paint.

PRESENT CONTRADICTION:

The main contradiction in painting from real life is a problem of perception.Moreover, a student’s perception differs from the professional perception of an artist.

A student’s perception may have inaccurate visual estimates or superficial visual impressions. Overall, Plein air painting develops visual memory because environmental conditions are changeable.

 

CELEBRATED PLEIN AIR ARTISTS:

Moreover, they worked in the second half of XIX-early XX centuries.

  • The Plein air painting principles were mostly realized in the works of the masters of Impressionism.

They were C. Monet, C. Pissarro, O. Renoir, A Sisley etc in the second half of XIX century.

 

WANT TO LEARN PLEIN AIR PAINTING IN BANGALORE?

The are many art schools that provide Plein air painting classes in Bangalore. In fact, who would not like painting from nature?

One that provides Plein air painting amidst the greenery and landscapes of Bangalore.

 

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