Take a Photo

Posted by on Nov 20, 2018 in Watercolor Tips

My best plein air tip is to make a habit of always taking a photo before you put a mark on your paper.  As you reach for your pencil to begin your initial sketch or before you open your painting supplies, take a photo.  If you make this a habit, you won’t ever be caught with a half finished painting and no reference.   It also helps to have this when the initial shadows that attracted me to the scene change.   Here are some things that made me have to pack up quickly:

  • Sudden downpours of rain
  • Farmer chasing me off with a gun
  • Bull charging
  • Nuns complaining
  • Sudden high winds
  • The barge is leaving:)