PLEIN AIR TIPS from TOM BROWN

 

Students who are new to painting outdoors often mention they have a hard time finding a subject and knowing what to do with it. There are a couple of things I can suggest which you might find helpful.

    If you’re painting on location, the first thing I suggest when considering a subject is to pause, close your eyes for a moment, and ask what drew your eye to the subject in the first place. It could be color, light, an object or something else. Then think about how you can emphasize that, whatever it was. And decide what you can minimize in the composition if it doesn’t add to the picture.

    And there is something else you can do to go beyond that. It’s a 3-step process.

    First, give it your best shot on location. Don’t stress out; just make a decent effort and don’t worry about the results.

    Second, at your convenience paint an “improved” version of that in the studio, taking as long as you need. Even if you keep reworking the studio effort for days or weeks. Then compare the two paintings: the plein air version and the studio version. Analyze what things you did to improve the plein air effort.

    The final step is to return to that location with those things in mind and view the subject again with all those possibilities in mind. And paint that same subject again directly from life, taking artistic license and kicking it up a notch similar to what you did in the studio.

    After you’ve done that once or twice you’ll never again feel limited when scouting locations. You’ll see things with all the possibilities, and you’ll have loads more fun painting those pictures. Give it a shot! I think you’ll see the difference immediately.

    Hope this helps, and I wish you Happy Painting!

LIVE OAKS, GOLDEN HILLS
6x6 oil on board
$100 available here

FULL MOON by TOM BROWN

 “FULL MOON RISING”
Original oil painting
Bidding starts at $30 here

 

CALIFORNIA LIVE OAKS by TOM BROWN

“CALIFORNIA LIVE OAKS”
Click Here to Bid (starts at $20)

LANDSCAPE STUDY by TOM BROWN

This is a 4x7 inch oil sketch available here. I like sketching with oils. Using just a few pigments I can mix an UNLIMITED variety of rich vibrant colors. And I’ve designed a sketch kit that any artist can make, showing how to keep things clean and simple; even an easy way to bring home fresh paintings with no muss, no fuss. Details are here

 

AFFORDABLE DRAMATIC SKYSCAPE by TOM BROWN

“RISING ABOVE IT ALL”
4x4 OIL Painting on Bristol
(Bidding starts at $20) Click HERE
I love creating these small paintings. They have a freshness that makes them really sparkle. And they look SO MUCH better in person than on-screen. I’ve just finished a series of large commissions, and have decided to take a break and do a series of these small pieces. Just for the pure pleasure of it. I’ll be posting more of them in the coming days. By the way, these make great Holiday gift ideas, in case you’re getting ready early this year.
Tom Brown
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