en Plein Air (return to Projects page)
En Plein Air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. For me, plein air has several sub-categories. As
in the French definition, true plein air painting occurs when you paint
from nature, putting on paper or canvas and editing what you see when
you see it in the real world. Journaling is a version of this
when you chronicle your experience quickly in a journal or sketchbook,
combining the images you see with some commentary. Finally, there
is sketching where you record in a sketchbook your plans, ideas and
"picture pieces" for future use, possibly in larger
paintings. These might be value sketches to plan light and dark
shapes for a painting, contour or line drawings to plan a composition,
or just some shapes and details you want to record.
Below are some of my plein air paintings. Some were done in Waxahachie, Texas, where there is an annual "paint-out" as part of a tour of victorian homes. Others were done at one of Southwestern Watercolor Society's twice-a-year paint-outs not too far from Dallas.
These first two paintings were done at Denison, Texas in November, 2011 on an SWS paint-out.
Below are some of my plein air paintings. Some were done in Waxahachie, Texas, where there is an annual "paint-out" as part of a tour of victorian homes. Others were done at one of Southwestern Watercolor Society's twice-a-year paint-outs not too far from Dallas.
These first two paintings were done at Denison, Texas in November, 2011 on an SWS paint-out.
Travelers' Hotel, Denison Mothballed, Denison
Bank
on It, Waxahachie
Catfish Plantation, Waxahachie
First Prez, Waxahachie
College & Main,
Waxahachie
Edgewood Caboose
Feed Store, Waxahachie
Feed Store, Mt. Vernon, TX
Not on Tour,
Waxahachie
Golden Era, Jefferson, TX
Graceful Lady, Waxahachie
Flecher's
Chapel, Salado, TX
Wren Condo,
Salado, TX