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En plein air

Painting outdoors anytime of the year always makes for great compositions. I plan to make a few sketches and drawings probably this weekend.

It began with the French Impressionists. They wanted to be able to capture the moment as it came and so they created the portable painting box, and thus painting outdoors was feasible.

I think any great artist who paints knows that drawing from life beats painting from a picture any day. Never mind that you can totally tell when someone does paints from a picture. I give some graces to those who do paint only from pictures as not everyone has a forest outside their doors. However, it is I think (or should be) mandatory for an artist to take from real life.

Painting from life en plein air
Love me some peonies. This one is almost dead, however. Still beautiful.
Grapes painted en plein air
An attempt at watercolour since forever.

It’s difficult because the colour shifts before your eyes and you cannot tell sometimes if it is light that is shining down or if it is the actual colour of the thing you are trying to paint.

How to paint en plein air
You must get the correct colour.

As everyone knows, or mostly everyone, painting is all about light. There is no painting without light. And if there is, it’s not a real painting. Jk. But in all seriousness, a good painting has a certain amount of light percentage with a certain amount of dark. En plein air provides that ability.

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By Afonso Abstract Art

Hello, my name is Kristina. I always knew I was a creative-type person but I just didn’t have a name for it in grade two. I grew up working in my dad's art gallery. After high school, I pursued art at Capilano University in Vancouver, BC; and from there, went onto obtain a bachelor of design with honours at the University of Alberta.

Kandinsky said, “it is evident therefore, that colour harmony must rest only on a corresponding vibration of the human soul.”

I make minimalist, gestural, abstract art. I aim for integrity; the only idea I follow is to be true and honest to my art. I hope that viewers feel a sense of freedom and austerity.

Typically, the material inspires me, followed closely by a compulsion to draw, which ends up leading me. Usually, I do not have a specific idea in mind. I do everything spontaneously, but not always, I have my considered portions. It’s never the same though. It’s unpredictable.

I love to work with oils and pencil. Watercolour is not far behind. Willow bark and conte are also in the top five.