Mastering Watercolor Painting: Part 8 - Plein Air (Outdoor) Watercolor Painting

There’s something undeniably magical about painting outdoors—where the breeze rustles your paper, the sun dances on the water, and every brushstroke captures a moment in time. Welcome to the world of plein air watercolor painting, where nature becomes both your subject and your studio.

Best Supplies for Travel & Field Painting

Compact Watercolor Kits – Use a small set of half pans or travel tubes to minimize weight and space like the Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Field Set.

     

Water Brushes – Grey Matters Watercolor Pocket Brushes were created with the plein air and urban artist in mind. 

     

Portable Palettes – Folding palettes with mixing wells help blend colors efficiently.

Field Sketchbooks – Choose watercolor-specific sketchbooks with 300 gsm paper for best results.

Lightweight Easel or Clipboards – A sturdy backing surface ensures stable painting outdoors.

Water Container & Paper Towels – Even with a water brush, carrying extra water and a cloth for cleanup is helpful.

How to Handle Weather Conditions

Wind:

• • Use clips or tape to secure paper to your board.
  • Position yourself behind a natural windbreak (trees, walls, or large objects).

Humidity:

• • Paint dries slower, so allow time between layers.
  • Use a hairdryer or sunlight to speed drying.

Hot Weather:

• • Paint dries too quickly, so use larger water washes.
  • Work in the shade to maintain moisture control.

Cold Weather:

• • Carry warm water in an insulated bottle.
  • Water brushes may freeze—use synthetic bristles instead of natural hairbrushes, which hold water.

Video Courtesy of Sarah Burns

Sketching & Planning for Quick Outdoor Studies

Start with a Simple Pencil Sketch – Outline the basic shapes and composition before adding paint.

Establish the Light & Shadow – Identify where highlights and shadows will be.

Use a Limited Color Palette – Avoid overcomplicating; stick to 3-5 key colors.

Work from Light to Dark – Begin with broad light washes, then gradually build details and contrast.

Capture the Essence Quickly – Avoid overworking; plein air studies focus on impression over perfection.

📌 Pro Tip – If conditions change or you need more details later, reference photos help finalize work indoors.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t tried plein air watercolor yet, start small. Go to your backyard or a local park. Take a sketchbook and just observe. Let your colors flow, your hand relax, and your eyes adjust to nature’s palette.

The world is waiting—and your brush is the perfect tool to capture its wonder.

Now that you learned about plein air watercolor painting, read the next part of our series, Mastering Watercolor Painting: Part 9 - Practice Exercises. Watercolors are generally one of the safest painting mediums due to their water-based composition, but there are still some important safety considerations, especially regarding pigments, ventilation, and proper handling. CLICK HERE to continue reading.

 

Alabama Art Supply is your one-stop shop for all things art! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, we have everything you need to bring your creative vision to life. From paints and brushes to canvases, sketchbooks, custom framing, and more—if you’re looking for art supplies, we’ve got you covered. Don’t see what you need? Just reach out to us at 205-322-4741—we’re happy to help you find exactly what you're looking for!

 

 

---

Tags: #yourartstore #arttips #arttechniques #artsupplies #birmingham #alabama #artist #creativeexpression #watercolor #painting

← Previous Post Next Post →