llandscape vs plein air - WetCanvas: Online Living for Artists (2024)

crafor

I’ve been looking at both plein air and landsape work. Obviously there are differences. It seems that Landscape painters and PA painters would produce –perhaps a different style of work. Is style the correct word? I know that any two or more people would produce different results, even sitting/standing in the same places under the same conditions, but the two are quite different.
I’m not sure of what my questions are, aside from how are the two similar, how are they different? I like both, have no experience in either. Why would I choose one over the other? Why is one technique better than another under a given situation?
Ella
who is trying to understand

theracingartist

Ella — the simplest explanation is that plein air is a painting done onsite – outdoors. So, a plein air painting is a landscape painting that is done in one session at the location.

– Adam

steveoreno

As Adam explains, plein air is the act of painting on-site using the actual scene as reference and usually completing the painting at that time. On occasion the artist will take a reference photo in order to complete the painting back at the studio. So plein air can be applied to landscape, still life, portraiture, etc. It all depends on your reference.

friesin

Why would I choose one over the other? Why is one technique better than another under a given situation?
Ella
who is trying to understand

for me, being a landscape painter and a plein air painter, there is no such contradiction.

plein air to me is entirely different from painting landscapes in the studio:
it is a”live” event, it is much more direct, it is thrilling in another way. You feel the landscape, the weather, the wind, the warmth, the cold, you hear birds twittering, bumble bees flying, you smell the surroundings. While painting you have to deal several challenges such as time, choice of subject, of focal point, passengers passing by, the reduction of materials and further more….

Often it is not possible to paint plein air. But painting inside the studio is nontheless thrilling, too. It is quite a different thing. You can’t compare apples to sausages

There is no technqiue better than the other one. Of course plein air painting might be difficult at certain conditions, but it is up to you, the painter, to decide which one you are going to practise at which time.
There is no either-or.
:thumbsup:

Gary Mc (Trikist)

I would only add that some of the most famous plein air painters, the impressionists, often took many sessions to paint their beautiful works. They went out at the same time of day in similar conditions. Conditions can not always be identical day to day but neither are they minute to minute, let alone hour to hour.

Regards, Gary

"Painting is a verb"

Dcam

If you have a really large monitor and take excellent photos….you can get close to the plein air experience.
I love plein air, but the bugs, the tourists, and the setup can be daunting.

There is a presence about a plein air painting that is unmatched.

derek

aspenman

I agree with Gary – plein air does not mean it must be painting in one sitting – it merely says it was paint in the outdoors – 1 day – 2 days – 3 days whatever.
Very few artists can keep up with the changing shadows – cloud movement – it is done mostly for the pure color to be seen IMHO

Aussiesrus

My suggestion is to paint both indoors and out in order to decide for yourself which you prefer.

Plein Air Is all about capturing the subject before the light changes and is a great way to learn as quick decisions must be made and rendered according. The ability to simplify be selection is critical and end result is usually a clean fresh statement. However to paint from nature then you must contend with it also as mentioned by above by Derek.

Studio Painting Painting from photographs is often more convenient but regardless of how good your reference is, much use of artist licence will be required to alter your photo in order to improve composition, color, tone, etc.

Hope that helps,

Michael.

michaelcartwrightart.com.au
https://bluethumb.com.au/michael-cartwright
I'M NOT AS THINK AS YOU DRUNK I AM

kentiessen

Plein air is working from life- as such, it is the most direct and truthful experience of your inspiration. It is difficult and challenging, but I feel it’s one of the fastest paths to understanding.

Studio painting is working from knowledge and information- it has the benefit of comfort, time, and a controlled environment. It allows for considered progress.

sundiver Moderator

Why would one have to be exclusive to the other? I enjoy both, and painting on location has made a profound difference in my studio work.

A plein air painting often has to be smaller because of time constraints and changing light. It looks less “finished”, but also fresher in style. But then one can paint the same subject larger instudio, using the on-location study.

I think I paint en plein air more for the “doing” than for the result; when the result is good I’m happy but if it’s a dud I still learned something from it and enjoyed the process and the outing so I’m not disappointed.
I would suggest painting on location and in studio.

Wendy C&C always welcome
Everybody likes feedback! Please remember to comment on others' threads, even if it's just a "nice work" post.

Dcam

Good points Wendy: also, photography is an art and is in the museums. I certainly respect it.
If you can get good with your camera, composing and finding good subjects you will have an easier time in the studio working from those images.

And who took the shots? You did……so you are twice an artist: the photo is your art an so is your inspirational painting from those shots.

Again though: I really admire those who go out and airplane as my friends and I call it. There is such a freshness and immediacy.

Happy Painting. derek

jmax

Didn’t Monet and Renoir work from photos from time to time? Certainly they
also started paintings outdoors but finished them indoors and Degas was well
known working from photos maybridges photos of horses especially. From what
my addled brain recalls I thought there was a passage where Monet thought
wither a painting was done indoors or outdoors was irrelevant.

All depends on what works for you methinks.

viking57

Hi Ella,

Plein Air is work created on location. If things go well the artist can finish the piece on location in a few hours. The other type of painting I think you are referring to are painters who work primarily in the studio. Plein air painters and studio painters both paint landscapes or any other subject.

Plein Air painting offers the artist a better ability to see the light and colors in a scene since they are right there on location. Studio painters work usually from photographs so due to the nature of photographs the color and light are not always the best.

To paint plein air you have to be fast and put up with lookiloos, bugs, wind, rain, temperature, changing light, color and shadows. Being able to paint fast keeps the changes to a minimum. The biggest problem working plein air is you have to paint wet on wet. You learn to do that well the more you paint plein air.

Painting in the studio is nice because you have a controlled environment. You work from a reference photo or memory. You don’t have to deal with any of the outdoor problems. You can get up, go have dinner, mow the lawn and come back and continue to work on the painting. You can let an area of the painting dry and paint over that area instead of working wet on wet.

Both have their pluses and minuses. An artist has to decide which way they like to work….or they do both when they see fit to. I do both. Neither way is better than the other….in the end Ella, how anything is painted is not as important as what the results are that you are signing your name to.
….try them both and see which way you like painting.
Ron

crafor

Thank you all for your words. I have a better understanding, and may plan an outing. I used to draw on site and took color notes. Never did haul the paints along.
Now I’m thinking about it, probably with a very limited palette.
And small.
Yes, small.
Again, thank you all.
Ella

July 1, 2013 at 9:33 pm#1184959

crafor

Well, it’s been a while, and I thought I’d thank you all agin. I’ve been getting out and both painting and drawing on location. I’ve been painting with both watercolor and oil, and totally enjoying it. I’m still in the beginning stages and have a lot to learn.
Thanks for your words and explanation, you’ve been helpful.
Ella