Why Impressionists painted outdoors
Technological developments and the culture of the Impressionists led to their practice of painting en plein air. Quotes from famous artists are included.
My Favorite Tips and Suggestions
Included are my hard-learned lessons of where and how to set up; things to consider about your site and your neighbors; what things to worry about and what things to let go, and making the most of being outside.
Included are tips about dealing with flying debris, and as Van Gogh found out, even grasshoppers!
A story about John Singer Sargent
Sargent did most of his watercolor painting en plein air. I've included a story about how he sets off for his painting adventures as described by biographer and art historian, Richard Ormond. (Sargent's sister was Ormond's grandmother.)
Ormond described Sargent, perched on a hill as he painted, as looking like a "newly hatched chicken surrounded by broken egg-shells."