5 Deeply Important Lessons after painting outside DAILY
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- Taking time to reflect after a 30-day painting challenge is important. Each year I participate in #pleinairpril and find it to be incredibly valuable. I wanted to share my top 5 lessons learned from painting outside daily for a whole month. In a separate video I will share my favorite plein air gear, so if you have any questions about that let me know! #gouache
Watch the pleinairpril 2024 playlist: • Pleinairpril 2024
00:00 Lesson 1
06:15 Lesson 2
08:15 Lesson 3
12:32 Lesson 4
15:03 Lesson 5
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Totally agree, I was like a magpie for art supplies. I accumulated so much stuff, all of it shouting 'use me' well not literally lol😅 It was overwhelming, kinda blocked me. Boxed it all up and just went back to using pencils and a notebook, not even a proper sketchbook. As a result, I've done more drawings in the last two months than i've done in the last 2 years. Love your videos ❤
Yes, Magpie was what I was thinking of 🤣
Sarah, one of the many reasons I love watching your videos is how completely honest you are with us about the process. I learn so much from being able to see not only your beautiful finished projects, but also how you go about learning and developing new skills. It’s so much more helpful than just showing the “masterpieces.” That said even your self-described “crappy” sketches look magical to me!
Thank you so much, I’m so happy I can be honest and share the real process and people will understand and relate.
GEEZ Sarah you are just a great teacher and artist. I just can't get enough of your CZcams videos. Getting started is my problem
Thank for the reminder that failing is necessary to get better. That you don't just show the perfect pieces in your videos, but also your "fails" and how you analyse them, learn from them, embrace them, make them a normal part of the process, show rescue techniques we can try when thing go wrong (on cheap watercolour paper for example) is one of the points I started following you. So please have another coffee and keep going with what you are doing! I look forward to more rescue missions and your absolute brilliant teaching! ❤
Thank you very much, that’s so kind of you!
Dearest Sarah, you are a wonderful teacher! I taught middle schoolers and high school math, science, and Latin back in the day. Then became a scientific illustrator when I burned out. So I know whereof I speak. Understanding the PROCESS is what learning is. There is rarely a “failure” such as accidentally spilling your brush washing water on your sketch book. Everything else is a step in the process of becoming.
You are correct about the importance of drawing skills. In college I took a life drawing course as an elective and lucked out by getting a professional illustrator as a teacher. I learned how to SEE by making the “shift” to the alpha brainwave state that puts me in the creative part of my brain. It is something I can do at will now. Hand-eye coordination requires practice to set the muscle memory so your motions become automatic.
I recommend having just 4 things in your kit. A BIGGY tablet of sketching paper (cheap) vine charcoal or Conte black crayon, a blending stump, a kneaded eraser. Less than $20US. Draw Anything around you. Chairs, cups, eggs, salt & pepper shakers, shoes. Start just drawing shapes with line alone (contour drawing). This helps you to indicate space using overlapping shapes, relative size, intuitive perspective. Then add shading… Suddenly you are AN ARTIST, seeing the BEAUTY in the ordinary. Love you much. ☮️❤️🙏🏻
You’re so right about the process and how rare it is to see it in socials. I love that you put it all out there. Inspiring to get beyond the negative self talk and imposter feelings.
Greetings from Ireland, I never miss your videos. It is overdue time to say to you that you are the most honest, inspirational Artist that I have ever watched. Your work is just incredible. You, passing on the knowledge and learning curves you encounter with your art, are the most valuable teaching lessons you give all of us. You inspire us to become better in our art journey. I can not thank you enough. Teresa
Wow, thank you, you are incredibly kind!
The best way to start a weekend is with a Sarah video!!! ❤
Agreed 👍💯
dear Sarah! I always admired your courage to expose your vulnerabilities! That is real self confidence. And you help others a lot showing the real process
I definitely agree about the gear! I don't do plein air, but I always recommend beginners start with a set of mixing primaries (preferably professional grade) and some good paper and a couple of brushes. I think being blinded by all the shiny can be a trap, one that we have all fallen for 😂 I have so much stuff I never use!
I think having some basics supplies that are of good quality is a good idea. I say this from having experienced it I see people give up myself included because you don’t seem to be able to get the same results as others, not realising that quality has a huge role to play as well as skill of course. I think paper is probably the most important thing then paints and then brushes. Personally I would get a small 12 or 24 set for someone who is just starting out so they don’t have to be overwhelmed with colour mixing and understanding how to get various shades or create entire colours. And I agree with you. The most important thing is to just start and always be okay with your picture not turning out alright that’s normal and only means you can improve.
I love hearing your thoughts! I don’t have many female artists as friends…men artists don’t seem to want to share their feelings as freely…so I appreciate hearing how you think. I feel a sense of validation, I guess🤗. I’m venturing into using gouache and like to watch you use it differently than transparent watercolor.
I love to hoard all kinds of nice art supplies, but a lot of my most important artistic growth has been from compulsively sketching utter crap on the envelopes and paper that show up in my junk mail. It’s so liberating drawing something with the complete intent of throwing it out afterwards. I can always photograph landmark artistic moments (lol) if necessary, but the freedom to play and then trash it afterwards is just the best thing ever.
I REALLY need to paint more on toned paper!! This really sparked me to want to give it a shot. :)
I just moved my art supplies upstairs..and created a bit of a studio in one of my extra bedrooms. Going through everything to get it organized..my comment every other minute was..” where did I get this? Why do I have it…haven’t used it in months..or maybe even years! “…soooooo…….I’ve put a “Stop buying Stuff” sign up .. in plain view! 😂
Yes, Pallette, Red, yellow, blue, (If you are using gouache, white), 1 good brush, Pencil, paper Go Paint! Pencil/brush miles are the bestest teacher!
I think the kits you use really depend on your personal goals or intentions and lifestyle. I have two, first a "casual" kit, which is a smaller A5 sketchbook and a pencil case that can hold a couple pencils, some fun pens, and maybe a couple colored Tombow brush pens, that I use if I am going somewhere with friends or a Doctor's appointment. It can pretty much fit in any bag or purse and has a low enough profile and ease of setup that if I have even 5 minutes I can get something down.
The second is more of a full plein air kit that is really involved, and I only really take it out if my intention is to go to a place for the purpose of painting.
Just build your travel supplies based around what you want to achieve, start small, and don't let a lack of supplies keep you from starting. :)
I have been stalled out for months and months and I realized a month or so ago that I had collected WAY too many supplies. I was seeing all those 'shiny' things... this paint and that paint this paper and that paper and it has killed my exploration and been such a heavy weight on me. I also boxed up everything and my curiosity and creativity is returning. My goal is now create not collect and that will lead to calm happiness. I now need to find a place that I can donate all my extra art supplies. I love this video. It really spoke to me.
Love your painting! I started with a small set of koi pan watercolors amd water brush and using postcards or 5 x 7 Strathmore folded cards. I enjoyed mailing them to friends who loved getting them during Covid. I sat on park benches or brought a chair and small folding table to hold water etc. It was fun to go with friends or by myself. Sometimes, I would be so critical of my small painting, but other walkers on the trail would stop and compliment my painting! Just start!
I tried plein air painting by the river in my car at sunset yesterday and had a wonderful time but it got dark and I had to use my car lights and hurry. When I got home I realized I'd completely left out the river and only did the sky, path, grass, bushes and trees, lolol. I hope my observational skills will get better lol.I still can't believe I left the entire river out, lolol.
I love this share! ☺️
That’s totally normal! When you’re rushing against the light, it’s difficult to focus on everything. So it’s just a learning curve. It does get easier over time, with more observational practice. But sometimes you also have to make choices of what to leave in or out
Excellent advice and delightful work. We all struggle with imposter syndrome and performance anxiety, and it's great to discuss this. We are not alone. 🤩
I’m still a beginner at plein air but the more I learn, the less stuff I bring in my kit. You really don’t need a lot to get a good result 😊
Sarah, I have such respect for you, and I love your landscapes! I started off with Cotman watercolors, and enjoyed them a lot; they’re designed for students and it was just right for me. When I improved, and realized I was more serious about painting, buying some professional grade watercolors was a huge spur to my development. I can still vividly remember the first time I squeezed out some Artists grade Winsor Blue green shade paint. It was unbelievably beautiful. The vividness and workability of that paint was like playing with a living being- it had its own intelligence and spirit. The Cotmans didn’t have that. After that, I was hooked and realized I would have to work harder to live up to the potential of the paint, so to speak. So I think there can be a natural evolution in our relationship to our gear. I hope this comes across understandably. I used the WN products, but other brands have the same student to professional paints, especially trustworthy in the legacy brands. Start simple, and never give the simplicity up, but if you’re serious, graduate to gear that enables complexity of expression.
Yes. The incredible necessity of baby steps!! And materials… oh, boy. As consumers, we’re trained to think that the result is in the product, not in *us*. Wrong!! And it helps so much to hear that. Over and over. Your insights are as beautiful as your art for me, Sarah. Thank you 🙏💙💯
Thank you for another great video. I started off with just a stick of charcoal and paper. I can honestly say it was the best way to begin my journey into art. It helped me to concentrate on shape, proportions and tonal value before getting into the whole colour aspect of art. That said, I do struggle with colour mixing and this is where I need to develop now. One step at a time, walk before we run.
Love this. I’ve been thinking a ton about the different scenarios that call for different kits. I love asking “what am I trying to learn” or “how can I help my students learn better by trying this” when I add or subtract from my kit. Plus there’s a funny concept in the music community you’ll get a kick out of called GAS aka gear acquisition syndrome. So often we think our next song or signature sound just requires X gear item and it doesn’t! I started looking into “real” plein air kits but they’re so $$$$ and incompatible with the lightweight desire for hiking!excited to see what you share.
Also, thanks for your incredible gouache database. I link to it all the time and it’s how I found my dream set of gouache without breaking the bank! Your tests were a marvelous help!
I wanted to be outside more in general and thought painting outside would be the perfect excuse, around this same time I found your channel and it really motivated me to really push to go out more! I would have to say my first outing was a mistake, i went for a walk to a small river and sat down and i was so overwhelmed with just the idea of not being in my studio I couldn’t draw anything. I also had so many supplies . So I took a step back and started to draw on my porch. Sometimes I just have a colored pencil on hand. This way I’m super close to home if I need anything I’m also not feeling embarrassed when people see me because I then get distracted with my own thoughts thinking their judging me. So for sure, baby steps!!
This has also been 2 years worth of practice for me
Sarah...I stopped Gouache recently.im using only for urban sketching. However I m here only because of your authenticity...a real artist at heart mind soul..thank you for the knowledge and experience sharing with honesty🙏
Oh this definitely resonated with me today. You made me feel so much better about how I started my journey of creating art. I did start with a mechanical 0.5 mm pencil, a small watercolor palette of colors, a simple waterbrush, a sketchbook, & a simple clipboard for doodles, pencil sketches & just splashing on a bit of color. Although now after 4 years of doing daily practice I have much more supplies & skills to be confident & successful. I still enjoy 😉 the looking forward to seeing the shiny new supplies & trying it out but I am also trying to be more patient & mindful about using up my supplies & sharing the things & artworks that are not my best. Looking forward to seeing your favorite supplies to use, seeing if you are still using them or if you have found something new that you like & feel is better for your art style. Thanks again for sharing this wonderful video with us! Enjoy the weekend!!🥰
I definitely agree with ya. While I’m not a beginner I feel like I’m always learning, but I started off with a super cheap sketchbook, a mechanical pencil, a few pens, and a beginner Windsor and newton watercolor pallet. That’s it, but you don’t feel the extra pressure starting off that way and it’s so easy to
To control my urge to shop online art supplies...i just fill the cart and go back every other day ask myself ...do i still really need this? Can i manage without this? Most of the time answer is NO...i delete. This helped me so much
Hello! I have been painting now for 5 years. I agree when I first started I accumulated a lot of stuff and the problem was that I bought too much only to find out I didn't like a lot of things I bought. It is so tempting to buy all the tubes of paint but I love your tip when you say start with 1 or 2 first tubes first. Thats what I try to do now when I want to try new things. One thing I like to do when I go out to paint is that I like to keep a wishlist. For example when I was out with my plein air kit I wished I had a pocket sized sketch book that I could use to make quick sketches as i hiked so I made note of it. I do it all the time and use that list to modify my kit or to make a new kit like the one I am putting together for travel. I also think have different sized kits is useful too. When I find supplies that are my favorite I some times buy a duplicate so I have it in every kit. I really do appreciate when you share your gear with use. I find it inspirational and helps me to narrow down my choices. I would love to see what you use for travel to help give me some ideas :) Thank you!
I totaly agree. I started drawing with pensil and at first I was afraid of using color. I admire how you do it.
I can relate 100%. Firstly with the days when you look at your paintings and think that they are no better than when you first started. And secondly with the gear. I think quality materials make the whole experience nicer. But you do not need much and the price isn't a reliable indicator for quality. A limited palette of six colours plus black and white or something like that is the best way to learn painting. I mean its so much fun to experiment with new material! To compare paints and brushes and paper etc. It's fun to discover favorites. But when it comes to painting actual paintings, you don't need the best or a lot. The only thing that truly makes a difference when painting with watercolour is the paper. It really matters. But of course what matters the most is the practice, the observation from life and the mindset.❤
Brilliant totally get the journey of pencil ✏️ usage pre colour or in my case feeling guilty for using time for me. I’ve got so much in the way of art supplies it’s almost become overwhelming. Along with trying to play using digital art. I am grateful for your work and sharing your creativity. 🙏🏻
This was great! Artistically mature and relevant lessons. GEAR DOESN'T MATTER! I should put that one on a T-shirt. It's fun to geek out over gear and supplies but so much importance placed on that can hold you back. Well said. Permission...another fantastic point. Thanks for the thoughts Sarah!
Thank you! It’s always easy to think gear doesn’t matter until we see the next shiny thing 😂
@@SarahBurnsStudio right?!
Loved this video and recap! I completely agree about drawing and not accumulating too many supplies... I have so many and sometimes the overwhelm is crippling! Do I want to use watercolour or gouache? Or pen and ink? Ink and wash...?? I started plein airpril just doing ink, and it was lovely to just have to deal with one pen and the paper. A week ago however I bought a Cup Easel Superlite, and I have to say, having an easel is really really good. I've been doing plein air for several years without one, and if I want to paint then I'm always dropping things, dependant on a bench or a flat rock to sit on, fumbling to have things on hand, losing my paper towels... But I can strap a tripod onto my bike rack, put the easel in my saddlebag, and go ANYWHERE and be able to set up. It's gloriously convenient! And I don't need to accidentally sit down in a blackberry bush! (That has happened more times than it should have. And because by then I'm sitting, I just put up with the thorns for a whole drawing sesh. Don't be me.) Thanks as always for the great video, and congrats on another successful plein airpril!
I find that even when I try to make a point of bringing other supplies to use outside I tend to fall back on the notebook and pen I always have with me. It’s already there, I don’t have to deal with setting anything else up, it’s already comfortable and there’s just very little friction to getting started.
One thing I do wonder is what (if any) adjustments you would make to your setup if you were accounting for other factors like mobility concerns. I may or may not have my chair on any given day but I have to be mindful that I may not be able to stand for long once I’ve found a spot. I think for me it’s better to pack assuming I’ll have a more physically limited day because more supplies is more stuff I have to lug around and rifle through and try to keep organized that I might not even use. I imagine that there are similar considerations for long hikes/bike rides or taking it easy for other physical recovery time when you still want to get out of the house to paint.
Not that internal concerns are the only type of foreseeable factors one might want to consider- I’m reminded of a moment in one of your videos where you’re holding up the expeditionary art watercolor palette as the only thing you could use on that day of a plein air retreat because of the weather after happily packing up all of the other cool things you had been excited to try out that weekend.
But hey, if all else fails I still have my notebook and pen!
Totally agree with you! You don't need too much stuff to drawing and painting, also, you can make your set up with cheap material like me😊. And it's ok with that, all you need is the desire to do it and discipline.😊❤❤❤ thank you so much Sarah, your channel has become one of my favorites.❤❤❤
I host paint and sips house parties at least 6x a month which requires me to paint as much as possible. However, I suffer from fatigue and slumps that I have to push through..the more I resist the more it starts to feel like a job and not my passion. So I take some down time so imposter syndrome doesn’t set in. It’s hard. Honestly since Covid I have found it hard to commit long hours painting. Gurrrrr. Scary 😱 but I love painting
Painting is easier on my hands, but I absolutely love your videos and how you encourage drawing. I started out that way, and my hands just won't put up with it anymore. Thank you so much for all you do.
It is always such a pleasant time well spent listening to your videos, and all of the things that you share. So much of what you said resonated with me, this message will get way too long if I list all of it but I just want you to know that, you give me so much encouragement to improve myself and my art skills and to just keep pushing forward!
Great advice Sarah, thank you for your guidance, honesty and totally relatable issues that I am also guilty of.
I agree on kit. Especially if you paint a lot and/or use different media. Most of the summer, I have two backpacks in the back of the jeep: my U.Go oil box and my soft pastel box. I also have a U.Go gouache kit (the same model you just added) and a travel watercolor kit. Depending on the destination and way of travel, I bring the kit(s) I will use. I like oil and pastel for doing larger pieces and Plein Air focused trips; the gouache or watercolor kits for air travel and when I have others with me. That lets me have a small kit I can sketch for 20-30 minutes and easily carry all day. Either way, having a kit that meets your needs, has everything ready, and goes with you is an important key to painting more. I can fill a water bottle and grab my keys; everything else is set.
I leave for France in about 9 days for a Univ. Art History class study abroad. The watercolor kit will be in my pocket or pack the entire time.
It helps so much to have little kits ready to go at all times!
I'm so excited for summer so we can paint outside again with no rain 😍😂
I find that the easier it is to start drawing or painting the more likely you’re going to do it. So keeping it simple is definitely good but sometimes purchasing something new is almost necessary. For me two such things were water filled brush and a clip of sort (don’t know it’s English name) from hardware store that i use to attach my small watercolor palette on the sketchbook. All i need to hold on then are the sketchbook, the brush and a piece of paper towel. I attach the palette on a small pile of Pages on the side I’m not painting on
I still find gouache too difficult to carry and use on the go so I haven’t even tried yet. Maybe at some point with dried gouache once i truly start to get the water control at least somewhat down 😅 flat brushes have helped a ton though so thank you for the tip!
Lovely painting btw. I loved watching how it all came together.
Definitely agree on drawing skills. Also definitely guilty of being tempted by color and jumping into painting over drawing. Although now I'm cultivating the habit of thumbnail sketches. And that makes me feel less pressure when I do start painting the subject. Because the drawing exercise really helps with the mapping of the subject in my mind .
Interesting insights from a month of painting! If I were talking to someone getting started, I’d share my biggest regret when starting out. I didn’t want to invest much money because I didn’t know if I’d like it, so I bought two huge student-grade, store-brand watercolour sets. Each one probably had 48-60 colours (or something crazy like that). AWFUL. I wish I had started with name-brand student-grade or a small set of professional for less frustration. Watching some CZcams videos and seeing other people paint with better supplies is the only thing that kept me from quitting before I started. When I bit the bullet and ordered some good paint (and better paper), the whole process was SO much easier and more enjoyable. I was rather miffed with myself because I know from my experience with other crafts/hobbies that supplies make all the difference, so I don’t know why I thought watercolour would be any different 😅.
I’m pretty happy now having learned the types of paint, palettes, brushes, sketchbooks and paper that I like. I’m not nearly as tempted when I see people review/use other products. The thing that does still tempt me? Cool travel palettes or occasionally when I learn about a different paint brand or pigment. I REALLY want to try some of the new DS gouache colours that they’ve added, but I don’t need them!!
Also, I’ve learned a lot from you sharing your painting pre-sketches or concept colour paintings even though they’re not final, perfect pieces of art. They’ve shown me the steps that I was missing in my practice. I was trying to start with a perfect sketch that could be immediately painted and turned into a “masterpiece”. I have found great improvement from adding those initial steps before jumping into a painting. I do more thumbnails and sketches before starting and plan out my colours a lot more to see if they’ll work. It has helped SO much. I might not need to do all that colour work if I ever decide to stick with the same colours/brand all the time but because I bounce around, it helps 😊.
(This comment is way too long.. oh well 😂.)
You just reminded me I should have mentioned paint or paper quality when I talked about supplies. To an extend the gear doesn’t matter, but you’re right, the quality of *certain* supplies can make a huge difference! Like really cheap student paint vs. A few tubes of professional paint is a drastically different experience. I’ll talk about that in my gear video.
But I’m so glad to hear you are having success by adding the thumbnail and concepts before painting. I think that is a total game changer!
You DO need Daniel Smith Buff Titanium Gouache and maybe Cascade Green too. So much fun and these are beautiful paints to work with. As my other brands get used up, I will be adding more DS colors.
@@shirleynace1314I absolutely love my DS buff titanium
It has been wonderful watching these videos during the Plein April challenge. I came late to the game mid-month and produced one painting during the month. My schedule is very busy but did find the time to spend at least 1.5 weeks and worked on a portion of it daily. I am gifting this painting, my first, to my daughter. I averaged 15-30 minutes a day on it and it was so therapeutic. Especially after a stressful work day it was a nice escape doing something. So thank you for the motivation.
What a great gift!
Most critical supply for watercolor is good paper.
There is no magic (brush, paint, paper, pochade box, palette) wand. I keep failing, yet here I am still trying! Great video, full of truths. Love you
I appreciate that you share the entire process and not just what you’re happy with. Even the sketches we think are trash can have something good about them even if it’s a snippet.
I hope you’re able to find your sketchbook!
I love your work. And I love that Peinairpril made people post the „Not so perfect“ paintings. They are often more interesting and „honest“ than the showpieces. One will never stop learning and always make „mistakes“ when it comes to drawing/painting. And pictures you think are not as perfect - they might be „wow“ paintings for someone else. So please keep posting the process and don‘t hide it :)
The best plein air kits are the ones that get used. If it's too much trouble, for whatever reason, it can keep you from even starting. And I agree, it's hard to let go of the perfection mindset, especially when we're posting daily. 😊
True talk! Awesome truth!
When you post a painting, that isn’t your absolute best it encourages me more than you can imagine. Why because when I paint the painting that isn’t my absolute best I feel like a loser. Like I never could paint and I don’t know what I was ever thinking, trying to be an artist. But then I look at some of your other paintings and I see how incredible they are. And even your worst painting is still a good painting, but I know that you can do even better. And I know that I can do even better. I keep some of my better paintings around my house to show myself when I feel like I am losing my ability, I can gain encouragement from them. I flip through my book and I say look at all these paintings you did. They were very good. Some better than others. Some days you are just right on and the universe is with you. There’s like a spirit that you’ve captured and, something is happening that is from within and from beyond. I often will look at a painting that I have finished and wonder how I even did that. But other times I feel like I’m struggling. So thank you so much for painting and showing your process regardless of whether you’re painting was the absolute phenomenal success that day, or whether it was just one of your mediocre paintings that you looked at later and thought it could’ve been better. I appreciate that. It’s very encouraging. By the way, everyone knows when you’re painting outside conditions matter. You could take that painting home and probably turn it into a masterpiece. But depending on the sun and the wind and the atmosphere and the subject when you’re painting outside, painting is not always perfect. That’s what Plein air is all about.
I completely agree with you. Last year I tried doing Plein air with pastels or watercolor and was completely overwhelmed by the process. It was sensory overload. This year I took my smallest sketchbook, two soft charcoal pencils and a kneaded eraser. I focused on subject selection, values, texture and composition. I learned so much and ended up with some sketches I could build on in my studio space. I could not go every day due to severe weather here, but your struggles with the weather gave me permission to skip the worst weather days we had. I enjoyed following you during this time.
Sounds like you made a great adjustment, I hope you are able to continue as the weather gets nicer :)
Still love your videos. So good. Also, yes to drawing!! ;-)
So true that you don't need a great kit. I know someone who draws beautiful characters and learned most of their skills doodling on the borders of notebooks during lectures. It's time and practice. Looking and seeing. Then training your hand to replicate what your brain interprets.
Tusind tak ! Jeg elsker din ærlighed. Og der er så meget sandhed i det du siger. Den frygt for den første side, for dagens første tegning. Det er noget af det sværeste for mig. Men ved at se dine tegninger og lytte til dig, gør jeg det 😀 jeg kommer ud og igang.
Sarah...thank you 🙏
I think what I learned from the month was that I was really discouraged by the struggle of not being able to put a “frame” around what I’m looking at. Knowing what to include and what is off the edge of my paper. I think it was you that said it’s ok to take a picture to determine that border! 💡! Then keep painting but check the border in the photo when I get confused. 🤯🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Good advice for the start of the trip…drawing daily from life is essential according to Sarah Burns and Andrew Wyeth!
If you're not making mistakes you're not learning and we learn not only from our own mistakes. I find it really useful when an artist such as yourself, shares work that you don't feel happy with, that you see mistakes in. This is especially useful when you explain what your mistake is and why it's a mistake. If I can learn from others' mistakes, I can maybe avoid making them and get on with making mistakes of my own, with some knowledge of why something might be a mistake and possible ways to fix them. You don't know what you don't know, so if you don't point out your mistakes, I could blindly go on making that same mistake without realizing it is a mistake until months or years down the track. So please don't feel ashamed about your mistakes, they're some of your best lessons for us 😉
Hi Sarah, Thanks so much for sharing your observations and being candid about yourself and art. I can identify on several points. When I first started painting years ago I didn't keep a sketchbook, I was only painting, painting, painting. Returning to art 4 years ago I started a sketchbook and realized how important it is to keep one. It all starts with drawing. It's like I'm relearning my art skills all over again. There are so many things I didn't know because I wasn't focusing. I had to laugh at myself when you spoke about materials when painting and drawing outside. I don't use half the sh*t I bring. 🤣 I always have this conversation before I go outside, OK self, what do I REALLY need to do this today and what should I leave behind. I have plenty of crappy sketches I don't want people to see. I was at the art museum the other day doing a drawing study of a huge American mid 19th-century landscape and a couple asked me if they could see my work. I only showed them the pencil sketch I did that day and another finished ink landscape. I hate 85 % of the drawings I do, I totally get it. 😊 Thanks, Sarah, Ive learned so much from watching your channel. 😊🙏
Thanks! Question for the gear video - shading your work and palette. I have made the mistake of not having shade and ending up with a very dark painting. But I also don't want to be too bogged down with equipment. Thanks, its beautiful
I really enjoyed this video!
At the beginning of my journey I spent so much money on different stuff - at the end I was so overwhelmed by the amount that I didn't know how to start and with which supplies. So you are right, you don't need much to start.
Thank you for this honest video! I take so much with me.
Hope you'll find your sketchbook 🙏
Happy weekend to everyone =)
Great video, Sarah! Thank you. I think the only thing that matters with regard to gear is that you have what you need. It can be simple and inexpensive, but knowing what you like to use is important. It’s frustrating to be out enjoying a painting experience and suddenly discover I’ve left something behind that I would love to have in that moment, simply because I was trying to pack light. Of course, that speaks to experience… the brush miles will tell you all your favorites! ❤
Sarah, you are such a marvelous teacher! Is this a stay wet palette?
Thanks for all your videos! I just made my first dried gouache palette for Plein Airpril and it was really fun to be able to use my gouache without stressing about if it would dry or if I was "wasting it." I am a filmmaker and educator, and I have also been drawing or painting (mainly watercolor) every day for four years now. I think that sometimes tools are important, and there are results you just aren't going to get without the same tool. For instance, camera sensors really matter when you're filming, and more expensive cameras generally have a better sensor. At the same time I always teach, that storytelling is more important, because you can't make a good film with just a good sensor. So in the case of painting plein air, I don't think that how you configure your set-up matters (and I say this as someone who got through COVID by buying way too many art supplies), but I feel like some tools are really important. Many people recommend starting with cheap paper or paint, and I was frustrated with using cellulose paper, and student grade paint. When I invested in my first 100% cotton paper and professional paint, it did in fact make a difference, and it made the process way more fun for me. This also goes for brushes that don't hold water, etc. So to me that's like the equivalent of a sensor that doesn't frustrate you, but at the end of the day, what will you do with it? You don't need to have the fanciest other stuff if you can create a good composition and tell a story. The pochade box won't help you do that.
Just have your paints and pencils and paper with you - esp. at the kitchen table. Then make sure to use them every day- your ability to mix color and make marks improve a lot over time. Then when you really need those skills you have them. Yes, the NY times crossword puzzle is behind that wooly sheep - oh well. Peeps like it anyway. lol. I have a certain palette of colors (12) that work for me and I've gradualted after 30 yrs to professional Winsor and Newton and Arches -love them. But Cotman got me thru many yrs. Happy painting Sarah:))
Love this video so much! Reminding us that failing over and over is an important part of the process. Thanks for your down to earth encouragement!!
Sarah, thank you for your sincere and inspirational talk and the beautiful painting you treated usvto atvthe same time. Also, I have been enjoying your Moray firth walking videos. It is a long time since my husband and I visited this coastline and watched minky whales and dolphins playing in the water as we ate a picnic, on a rainy day. That was in the nineties, perhaps we will return and look for them and seals again. Thank you for the inspiration.
Thank you for this video. It has inspired me to make art every day, even if I don’t have a lot of time, even if the finished product is not great. It is so easy to make excuses and procrastinate. I really appreciate the teaching points in this video.
Drawing is the main key ....i realised 5years after i started paintings...Now i do lots of sketching every week separately with just PENCIL
As I listened, I wish that I counted the number of times I said oh…I am not alone in the thought process of art everyday for a month. Thank you. Even the piece I tore up helps me. I did buy that little set you used from Jackson’s. ☺️What did I do May 1st, I painted.
Sarah, you inspired me to do pleinairpril for the first time this year, and even though I missed days too, I've painted way more than I would have otherwise, and it was so enjoyable! I've been looking forward to this lessons learned video. Thank you so much for having the courage to be vulnerable, and to share your true experience. I definitely had days when I felt frustrated, and it was so helpful to remember what you said about how it is frustrating for you too and to focus on what I can learn from the process. I love what you said about having the courage to fail over and over, and to get up and do it again.
It's so valuable to hear your thought process when you are creating, I learn so much from that. I wish I could come to your first ever in-person workshop. Congrats on that! I imagine it's a lot of work pulling it together. I hope I'd be able to come to one in the future and bring you some of those discontinued Strathmore travel watercolor journals. Sending lots of love, Anne
Thanks Sarah for your honesty!! Many years of trying plain are just on summer camp trips for me.. some embarrassing experiments with mixed media that seemed exciting in art store and not tested by me at home first!! Takes time to understand what will and won't work even for experienced painters. Thanks for your shared knowledge and humor. ❤ from Canada 🍁
Buying too many supplies when you start can be overwheming. I think maybe having a basic set of colours for your paints is good too, as it forces you to learn colour theory, which is so important!
I'd get a basic colour set of paints of your choice, a pencil set, eraser (plus my Tombow tiny eraser is a Godsend!), a couple of decent quality brushes and maybe a mixed media pad/sketchbook and/or watercolour paper, depending on your medium of choice.
I'm sure I've probably forgotten something lol, but that's what i would recommend.
Stick within your budget too. Don't go crazy until you find where your passion lies, be it pencils/coloured pencils, watercolour, gouache, acrylic etc. The most important thing is to start! You can make cheaper supplies work at the beginning, and go from there 😊
Love your videos! They're so relaxing, but enjoyable and helpful too ❤🏴
Excellent points; thank you!
Loved your insights and the painting you filmed to show while talking. Very cool.
Great video thanks 😊
I was same too...hoarding art supplies...but now i made a decision...i will not allow myself to buy till im doing some real work
I enjoyed this with coffee. It was really thought provoking. Thank you for sharing.
do you take a tripod when you're out pleinair painting? if and when, what setup do you have and find works best with wind and weather?
Can't wait to see your updated take in this! I'm starting to paint outside and would love to hear whag has changed in your setup!
I agree that you don’t need too much gear. Or supplies. I am guilty of seeing the next shiny thing and wanting it. But I find that I have so much stuff I get overwhelmed and don’t use it! LOL And fail, well we should think it means First Attempt I’m Learning… thanks Sarah
That was really inspiring thanks for sharing
Once I witnessed an artist use a shoe brush who produced a lovely painting. Moral of the story; a minimalistic can create more than one might think.
A Lovely and thoughtful presentation, thank you.
Thanks for all your honest sharing. I'm sure it's an inspiration to so many!
This is an excellent video! I am saving it to remind myself of each of your points. I am your devoted follower! Keep up the good work. 👏👏👏👏
Hi Sarah. I have learned so much from you and am now enjoying the Craftamo paints and lessons. I am wondering about disposal of dirty gouache water when plein air painting. Thanks!
I keep a little plastic bottle in my bag or car, then I can dump out the used water in my sink at home. The water treatment is better than dumping it randomly in nature.
We get you…🥰
Please, please do a sketchbook flip-through for us!
Hello from Dunedin FL,..Having breakfast!!
totally agree to not wait on the perfect set up ! I have had the experience at times where I was super frustrated and getting the right brush or item solved my issue, but beyond that I try to get back to basics and keep moving and practicing :) Congrats on your challenge - super inspiring video !! :)
Thank you for being so honest and open. I'm also reassured that my bad painting days come under the "learning" umbrella. I've also just finished pleinapril and it was exhausting.
Yep, since May started I’ve been gardening a ton and doing small studies, it feels good! Using what I learned in April
My original motive to paint was not to render things accurately, it's just the sensory joy of laying paint on paper. My desire to render landscapes grew out of that. I'd never paint landscapes if I had to draw for a year first 😅 But I allow myself to paint abstract or ugly paintings, so maybe I'm a wierdo!
Thankyou for your video Sarah. I have come close lately to giving on painting as I’m not very good but you have inspired me that it’s ok and just keep going. I appreciate the time you take with us to share your passion for art. It’s keeping me going 😊
If you enjoy it, keep going!
Uh you are trying akadamie paints, hope you will do a small review. (I wonder if they are hard to use and if I would prefer another brand) 😊
Yea I think I will do a video about it
Looking forward to it 😊