Plein Air Watercolor Composition Painting Strategies and Struggles

Рет қаралды 16,710

Жыл бұрын

COMPOSITION is the first thing to consider when you paint outdoors!
But it's HAAARD! Hah hah!
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These are the supplies used in this video:
🎨 Sennelier French Artists' Watercolor Set - Metal Pocket Box, Set of 12 colors, half pans ➡️ www.anrdoezrs.net/click-91101...
📜 Winsor & Newton 7x10 watercolor paper block, cold pressed ➡️ amzn.to/3YaHAhc
🎨 Silver Black Velvet Voyager Travel Watercolor Brushes ➡️ www.dpbolvw.net/click-9110133...
🎨 New Wave u.go Pochade Box 6x8 ➡️ www.dpbolvw.net/click-9110141...
🎨 New Wave u.go Plein Air Tripod ➡️ www.kqzyfj.com/click-9110133-...
UK/Worldwide Shipping (Jackson's Art Supply)
🎨 Sennelier French Artists' Watercolor Set - Metal Pocket Box, Set of 12 colors, half pans ➡️ www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/sen...
📜 Winsor & Newton 7x10 watercolor paper block, cold pressed ➡️ bit.ly/3VnU6sT
My favorite brush: Silver Black Velvet Size 10, 8 & 4 Round ➡️ bit.ly/32SS9uE
🎨 New Wave u.go Plein Air Pochade &Tripod ➡️ www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/new...
🎥 Film & Editing Gear 🎞️
- Canon EOS R Plus RF24-105mm F4-7.1 is STM Lens Kit ➡️ amzn.to/3pC8mR9
- Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens ➡️ amzn.to/35uGlUS
- Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Vlogging Camera Kit with EF-M 15-45mm Lens ➡️ amzn.to/3MlGdYl
- Studio Lights ➡️ amzn.to/2Tz1xib
- (for filming with my iphone outdoors) Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket ➡️ amzn.to/3OEkSLN
- Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod ➡️ amzn.to/3sNshi8
- Manfrotto 502 Video Head MVH502AH ➡️ amzn.to/35QTU0w - pangshi 11inch Adjustable Articulating Friction Magic Arm ➡️ amzn.to/3CkT73X
- Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone ➡️ amzn.to/3tA3nBr
- RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount Studio Microphone Boom Arm ➡️ amzn.to/3vIfgbb
- Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter CL-1 Mic Activator ➡️ amzn.to/3tz3rl5
- Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Please note, some of these links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. This allows me to continue creating helpful and entertaining free content! I only recommend products that I use and love.

Пікірлер: 131

@donnagoode6923 Жыл бұрын

You are very humble and generous. I learn a lot from watching your videos. Thank you.

@Blick_Art Жыл бұрын

We're sure this video is going to a huge help to many artists! Especially when you're new to painting en plein air, it's hard to know what to pack and how to set up efficiently. It's absolutely true that composition can be a challenge when the whole vista is in front of you- we sometimes get dependent of the four sides of a photo. A simple viewfinder can help, even if it's just an old, throwaway mat from a frame. More sophisticated tools like the Viewcatcher can help frame a composition in any proportion. (We're not going to link it here in case Emily wants to put an affiliate link in comments)

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Yes to the viewfinder tool!

@Blick_Art Жыл бұрын

@@EmilyOlsonArt So glad you agree! Pretty slick aviators, BTW!

@ChantelleArts Жыл бұрын

Thumbnail sketches seem like a great idea, I might give it a try 😊

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Let me know what you think! 😉

@sylphofthewildwoods5518 Жыл бұрын

Emily, please don't be hard on yourself. I think that's a wonderful painting! You captured the scene perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing your skills with us!

@scoobydoozie65 Жыл бұрын

I thought it was all wonderful. Loved it!

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@KathrynGoldman Жыл бұрын

Fabulous. Yes, please continue filming plein air for us.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Will do!

@StephanieCorralArt Жыл бұрын

I love your Plein air videos, and I need that shirt! ❤❤❤

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@juliestevenson Жыл бұрын

Love following your plein air adventures x

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thanks Julie!

@bleuvertetforetdepin7308 Жыл бұрын

oh yes it is worthy for you to carry all this heavy filming gear . your plein air videos are so motivational !!!

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Aw I appreciate that!

@sarahrez6453 Жыл бұрын

Yes!! Love the plein air videos! Appreciate any help I can get regarding that And composition 😊

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

You bet!

@patriciajackson5867 Жыл бұрын

A former hiker here… I can’t physically hike anymore so your adventure is very much appreciated. You’re literally taking me places I can’t go anymore and teaching me things while you’re at it. But don’t go it for us. Do it because it makes you happy because that’s all there is in life.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Aw thanks for sharing this! I am excited to make more videos like this (for you AND me! :))

@LisaSDonovan 3 ай бұрын

Pleinair painting is challenging! I so appreciate hearing your approach and thoughts as you paint. Thank you!

@sundaysunshine2925 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing - it’s all about the enjoyment of painting . A friend who,taught at the Famous Artists school had a favorite saying “ Learning to see “ She was a fabulous artist - ( at least I thought so )

@catharinecowan4514 Жыл бұрын

Yes please more plein air!! I am an absolute beginner but have loved combining watercolor and hiking, even if the results aren’t nearly as nice as yours. Your videos/tutorials have been so helpful as I learn!! Also, I can solidly recommend painting opportunities around Horsetooth reservoir if you ever want to travel a bit north for short hikes and interesting scenery 😊

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the recommendation!

@eileenvalachovic9435 Жыл бұрын

Yes to the plein air. It's what attracted me to your KZfaq channel. Thank you.

@katpaints Жыл бұрын

I used to go painting in the Columbia River Gorge and those paintings are such wonderful memories! It's funny that I've spent all but 3 years of my 77 in the Pacific NW and it wasn't until a few years ago that I actually studied how a Douglas fir trees was structured! We have 4 in our yard! I love that you are filming this! I do think painting en plein air did more for my painting skills than anything else, although 20 years ago it was just called painting outside. Lol!

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the nice comment, Kathleen! Yes, plein air painting certainly grows our painting skills like none other!

@katpaints Жыл бұрын

@@EmilyOlsonArt Exactly! It changes how you see - the choices you have to make. When I realized that being able to see around something by moving over a bit, meaning I can decide to include it because it is interesting or exclude it because it's just some trash made a huge difference! Plus, painting what's in the distance - like across the Columbia River instead of what is right next to me changes everything! Looking at old paintings, it is interesting to realize that I did paint atmospherically - mountains closer to me had much more yellow in the green!

@kitunger Жыл бұрын

Please yes to more plain air demos!

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

You got it!

@mjpete27 Жыл бұрын

Hullo Emily, I was reminded of “The wind also rises” a studio Gibley film were young woman is out trying to paint plein air and her umbrella is taken away by a storm! Yep umbrellas are necessary many times when painting outside! I thought you did a good job and I look forward to seeing what else you might come up with when you get back to the studio. Until then be safe take care and have a lovely day!

@artonthecreek Жыл бұрын

Great location 🤠 I like your loose trees at the foot of the Flatirons. They are in the distance; it works. I agree with all of your plein air thoughts! Being present in the moment is the best way to put brush to paper. 🎉bravo! (LOL yes schlepping is a pain-thanks for making the effort)❤

@amiemarieart Жыл бұрын

Foliage is my nightmare too lol But you've captured it beautifully. It looks amazing,

@carollegros8671 Жыл бұрын

Love the sky. I struggle with foliage as well The mind of watercolor is good with this. Great video.

@oilonpaper Жыл бұрын

I love the IDEA of plein air painting, and videos like these really tempt me, but unfortunately I'm thoroughly bored by painting landscapes. 😅 Anyone else got this "problem"? Thanks, Emily, for taking us along!

@MrsBarnabas Жыл бұрын

Yes, definitely, as I did several years of it back in the UK. I took out my ladies group on one day and another person on another, and l loved it, but looking back at some of those last UK landscapes, they have lost the 'something' they used to have. Problem now I've moved is learning more about urban sketching / painting (also plein air!!!) and also people sketching. I'm battling with a feeling of 'inadequacy' with these beautiful old buildings where I live now, and yet loving the challenge. When I'm sketching people at the cafés, I'm really quick (they don't sit there long enough to be anything else!) and I'm growing in confidence, and I need to adapt my attitude to buildings to be the same! So this may be a new challenge that you'd enjoy? Doing it alongside pastoral landscape may invigorate us to see those pastorals in a different way? I don't mean as the way we did it before, but actually seeing new ways to paint them - picking out smaller areas, looking at what's at our feet, what's under the hedge, just drawing rocks... I'm being helped a lot by Sarah about this (Burns). I used to do it at times, when I was out by myself, and need to go back and develop it more now. I'm also learning a lot alongside Emily, because the landscape around there is totally different from where I lived, and in some ways is similar to my present location, and this again means me going back and refreshing techniques I only really used on holidays! Hope this helps you in some small way? 😊

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

You can paint anything from life! Flowers, people, animals, buildings. Even everyday objects around the house. Once you start approaching plein air as “problem solving” and trying to create a pleasing composition with connected shapes, the subject matter really doesn’t matter. 😀

@guyhiebert Жыл бұрын

Thank You for the adventure of the great outdoors. The way you paint does invoke me to practise. I have tried it a few times and found that the weather always quickly dries out my paper. As you say practise practice practise

@evaeppinger9749 Жыл бұрын

Dear Emily, I am in the process of painting one of your Plein Air tutorials. I like them very much. Will today's video be among them?

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Hi Eva! This one will not be a full tutorial, but I will definitely consider doing another. 😌

@marthabridges9098 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed watching your process of painting outdoors! I would love to see more!

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

More to come!

@impala1022 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see more plein air paintings with your thought process. Thanks.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

You bet! Thanks for watching!

@LuciaDeGiovanni Жыл бұрын

I live in Boulder too, and it's so nice to see you paint some of my favorite places to hike. I'm sure one of these days we'll run into each other! Take good care.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Say hi if you ever see me! 🙂

@LuciaDeGiovanni Жыл бұрын

@@EmilyOlsonArt I will! xo

@neil_n_wendykelcey4700 Жыл бұрын

This is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

@laurahale5774 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for another great video and YES, please continue with your plein air series. Thanks again for all you do, its really helpful.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thanks, will do!

@jajakaborge Жыл бұрын

Yes to more plein air! LOVE that shirt! These videos are so inspiring. Appreciate you keeping it real about things you're working on! Thanks!

@veryberry39 Жыл бұрын

Im pretty sure youre the one who has me wanting to go outside and paint so yes, more please! 😃❤️

@TheLiznz Жыл бұрын

Yes please, more plein air. I’ve been trying to get out for the past couple of years but have only just got a tripod and a travel easel. I feel so free when I’m out painting, it’s such a release from stress. Anything you can do to share composition thoughts woukd be great too. This was excellent especially seeing the wildlife!

@amyblossom7486 Жыл бұрын

You need to be kind to yourself, I loved your little painting and thought it was just great! I love seeing you getting outside and painting and you have really inspired me to try it myself!

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@sharongallagher3443 8 ай бұрын

You seem very organized with your equipment for plein aire painting. I think you captured the clouds beautifully.

@elainebosik4070 Жыл бұрын

Excellent teaching video. I really like your approach to painting. And yes more plein air. Thanks

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it!

@nataliedavies69 Жыл бұрын

Yes to more plein air painting! It’s something I want to start but I’m afraid of how hard it’s going to be 😂 I LOVE how honest you are in this because I could never imagine you struggling with any art subject. Refreshing, real and super interesting! Thank you for being brave enough to share ❤

@clairejacquemier9800 Жыл бұрын

Loved it ! Please carry on showing how to practice plein air ! Very useful ! And your painting is lovely !

@racheldowling9974 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making a video on plen air painting!!! I’ve recently tried it myself and, “yes!” the paint dries so fast, ha! It has challenged me to find quick ways of making details…and knowing what details to add.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@sharongallagher3443 Жыл бұрын

I love seeing your plain aire paintings. You are a good teacher. You give lots of information in a brief video.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Sharon!

@fuzzydragons Жыл бұрын

def looks like a gorgeous place to paint🙂 def need an umbrella tho, for the art and also for you

@lenandtannismoody9890 Жыл бұрын

This was a great video! Please continue to share how to plein air paint and help dispel the t probably a lot of us are feeling

@terrykurko2078 Жыл бұрын

Love this video. We have a Plein Air painting event nearby in a few weeks that I was going to try. It is 6 hours long, and I thought that was too long for my first attempt. This video helped me understand the materials you need, so that was super helpful. Thanks!

@JaredCullum Жыл бұрын

Great video! Enjoyed hearing the thoughts you put into prepping for your sketch. Great advice. :)

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

@DQ_ArtGroupie 3 ай бұрын

One thing I notice about Bob Ross' approach to painting "happy little trees" is he often used a fan brush, whether the trees were far off or close up, and it seemed to simulate leaves and branches just enough so they didn't look like plain blobs. Great vlog, and a nice painting! (The bonus was getting to see those people in the background running super-fast like in a Benny Hill video!)

@karent.8245 8 ай бұрын

Emily that is beautiful!! I've never done plein air but you have encouraged me to do so. Thank yoh!!

@EmilyOlsonArt 8 ай бұрын

I'm so glad!

@kafoster1030 Жыл бұрын

Emily I loved this video and would love to see more of plein aire. I haven't done much in watercolor outside (mostly oil) so I am learning a lot from you!!

@cindylouwhobohl6983 Жыл бұрын

My watercolor group does Plein air all summer. Yours turned out great! Would love to see more!

@att1933 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. I was just in this area 2 weeks ago and wanted to paint so much but was overwhelmed. You gave me great suggestions! Please more plein air painting. Thank you

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

@lex111 Жыл бұрын

Make yourself a sun diffuser for your painting too. May help

@user-hb9xn7yn3x Жыл бұрын

Emily, you have beautiful clouds and landscape. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge.

@terayahm6873 11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your videos. Your honest, friendly style is so refreshing. I feel like I am painting with my bff😊I will join your masterly class! Tera

@EmilyOlsonArt 11 ай бұрын

Aw I love that! Thank you!

@ghostwriter6113 Жыл бұрын

I love your plein air painting videos! More please!

@michaelbusby1802 Жыл бұрын

Hi! We go to FlatIrons Vista often! The wildflowers are starting to come out! Thanks for sharing! Kathy B.

@vickieenders958 Жыл бұрын

Great job on the water scene. I loved the color in the rock

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

@liliawebb9377 Жыл бұрын

oooo! Yes! Love the plein aire paintings. I want to get better at it myself. I'm still struggling with eliminating the detail at first, but, working on it. When you've been a botanical artist, landscape doing plein aire is hard not to see the detail right off. Thanks for lugging all your equipment so we can share in the painting.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Oh yes-I get it! I struggle with seeing big shapes FIRST, too. 😌

@marygrider5377 23 күн бұрын

would love to give this a try. looks quite intimidating! Good content!

@EmilyOlsonArt 22 күн бұрын

Go for it! 🙌

@ashleyevans3330 Жыл бұрын

Great adventure and painting!!! Loved it!❤

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

@AshB_Watercolors Жыл бұрын

Emily, girl you work out! 💪🏻

@karenthomas2302 Жыл бұрын

We are our greatest critic, what I seen was gorgeous. So y’all need to quite being so hard on yourself. Tfs

@dianepetersen2961 Жыл бұрын

Ÿes...keep doing plein air.......

@tianna1116 Жыл бұрын

Had the longest day at work and I’m too exhausted to paint or embroider but watching this will let me enjoy it vicariously through you! Lol thanks

@ralphherrick596 Жыл бұрын

Looks good

@lorrainemanning3809 Жыл бұрын

Love these videos. I’ve just got my little kit ready and hope to get outside and attempt some painting. It’s scary just thinking about it! I’m new to watercolour so it’s going to be a big challenge.

@francinebrown1944 Жыл бұрын

Love your painting! Yes would like to see more plain air videos. Thanks Emily.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

You got it!

@joanbauman1571 3 ай бұрын

That looks really good! Thank you for teaching and sharing!

@sonyaoart Жыл бұрын

Yes to more plein air videos!

@lisaharris7445 8 ай бұрын

Just found your channel- you are inspirational!

@mklarson2980 Жыл бұрын

Videos like this are so so helpful, especially for those of us just starting with plein air. Thank you!

@joanbauman1571 2 ай бұрын

Nice work!

@beejlobo Жыл бұрын

Yes more! 🎉

@SharonCullenArt 11 ай бұрын

What I struggle with is caring everything. I too record video so the 2 tripods and a small folding chair(I have autoimmune disease and chronic pain so I bneed to sit) plus all the regular stuff. I tint have a lot of experience plein air painting so it is a definite challenge.

@EmilyOlsonArt 11 ай бұрын

Yes, it gets heavy really quick! On my last trip I ended up using my iPhone for almost everything!

@nancytipton2640 Жыл бұрын

I take people out to plein air paint once a month. I am new to outdoor painting (2 years) but love to be out in nature. Thank you so much for sharing your painting adventures with us.😊

@nancytipton2640 9 ай бұрын

Wonderful video…thanks for talking us through your painting process… I am a “self-taught” plein air painter (of about 3 years) who tries to be a better painter at each outing. I love being out in nature so painting outside is perfect for me. And…your plein air adventures really inspire me to “keep on keeping on”. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring painting adventures.😊

@jonnettemaslowski258 9 ай бұрын

Hi, Emily! I just subscribed today. Thank you for your honesty as it helps me not give up. I love your ending statement about not being discouraged if every painting attempt is not a masterpiece! It’s practice!! I need to keep reminding myself of that. Do you have videos or suggestions on how to simplify watercolor mixing and color choice? I feel it’s hit or miss.

@user-dt5wr3zy9z Жыл бұрын

Muy interesante.....gracias saludos desde España🇪🇸

@brasilecoms6297 Жыл бұрын

You have abundant talent AND skills! Please be more gentle on yourself! You'll grow weather you struggle or not, so why struggle? Do what you enjoy doing!

@Tammyhamrickgoff 6 ай бұрын

Hi Emily… I just absolutely adore your personality. I am so glad to have found you on here. Can you please share the camera bag you are wearing in this video? Thanks

@user-nc6xl5xi9f Жыл бұрын

I love your approach which encourages starters like me. I'm not always trying to replicate what you are painting, but I learn so much from the basic techniques that you demonstrate and try to use them in my paintings. Thanks a lot.

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Glad the videos are helpful!

@jayboehm3382 Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed hearing your thoughts about the plein air process. I'm just starting my second season of painting outdoors, and I'm glad to hear that it's normal to struggle with value and colour due to the intense light. I've been trying to use a value scale, but I usually get so into the actual painting that I forget to trot it out and check myself. Ah well! It's just practice, right? :-)

@kenselayre Жыл бұрын

Emily, I love your videos! Your approach to teaching is simple, concise, and easy to follow. Your humility is admirable and makes you so much more relatable than other teachers out there. Thank you for sharing the outdoors with us, and opening a whole new world of watercolor painting to this beginner!! I’m looking forward to more plein air❤

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

What a kind comment! Thank you!

@nellkrams3698 Жыл бұрын

Amazing!! I have to admit, I don’t do thumb nail sketches : / but after watching you, I’m thinking I better start learning! Your painting was beautiful and I’d love to see more plein air paintings. You make me want to go out and find something to paint, I have to say, your scenery is so much more beautiful than mine. 😂

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

The thumbnail sketch really helps! 👍

@sandytorento5048 Жыл бұрын

Hi Emily, Thank you for your plein air video. I've only done that once in my back yard, it came out not so good. I'd like to see more and I do love landscapes and seascapes!

@EmilyOlsonArt Жыл бұрын

Sure thing!

@gillinacook1477 Жыл бұрын

I really like your painting, the clouds are perfect. 😊This might be a weird question but what do you do if you need the bathroom when out plein air painting for hours? I’ve not really tried plein air painting yet, the bathroom bit bothers me.