12 Comments

These are great tips, lots to think about - thank you. I definitely second keeping things simple! I'm currently down to neocolor I's and a black pen, which I keep in a tray and can hold in one hand with my paper/sketchbook, while I draw with the other. Helps keep things quick and mobile. I've also found it helpful to take a few notes and a photo so I can develop my ideas at home. This might just be me, but I can get so engrossed in what I'm doing that I fail to notice how cold I'm getting, then suddenly I can't bend my fingers and I find it really difficult to warm back up! So regular intentional check ins are a must for me. I totally agree, I find drawing/sketching/painting outside a totally magical experience.

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Oh I love this idea of regular check ins. What does that look like for you? Do you set an alarm on your phone?

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No, although that sounds infinitely more straightforward than what I do, so I might try it! I basically try to use a mindfulness practice of moving between a fixed attention & a wider attention. It's far easier sat in meditation or Yoga - much less so when I'm totally absorbed in creating, especially outside :0D

You mentioned pre-colouring your page with watercolour. Can I ask, do you choose a colour that you think will work for a given scene, neutral colours, wildcard colours...?

Cheers

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Oh such a good post. I’ve never painted outside, apart from the garden fence! I think I might try parking somewhere and having a go first from inside the car. Little baby steps to get my confidence up. Like the idea of painting the page first and taking just minimal supplies. Keep cosy everyone ☺️

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the garden fence is SUCH a great place to sketch from! You could develop a whole series just from there! And yes to being in the car!

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Thank you so much for this post! I ve always dreamed about drawing outside, and I would take the materials with me but I never can find a good place for actually starting drawing! But from your tips I realized that I should dress much warmer and take a much simpler kit 😅

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Maybe if you can plan to go several times to the same spot, then that also takes off the pressure to do “all the things” there and then. You could sketch for 2mins, take a pic, go home, come back for another sketch, repeat… you’ll learn so much. I went at different times of the day and the sun light changed everything! It was v interesting to staidly shadows.

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Thank you, this sounds like a good strategy to start!

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I think I found it for the journaling Friday.

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Excellent! Yes, it's in the club chat. Glad you can make it! See you then!

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I’m a new subscriber. Where and what is the Luma link?

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I would love a plein-air challenge!

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