Have fun with oils in the great outdoors

Let’s get straight down to business. You can read all the theory in the world, but what’s actually going to make you a better plein-air painter is getting out there and having a go – and making it a regular practice to do so. It’s surprising how many self-made obstacles can pop up in our heads to stop us actually doing it, so I just wanted to say a few words first about choosing a subject and getting started.

I often think that the hardest part of plein-air painting is crossing the threshold of your own front door with your kit. We’re judging ourselves before we even start; imagining that others will be critical of our efforts. We tend to feel self-conscious about the prospect of being watched by onlookers and, before you know it, procrastination has set in.

Some artists are big on planning and spend weeks honing their