It is a hot day and I am happy I got to spend most of it under the shade of a gazebo overlooking a beautiful lake. Painting and drawing outside are two of my favorite things. If you haven't tried creating outside, you should....it's great! There are a few basic things to consider before you venture outdoors.
1. Weather: Obviously before you head out you want to check the forecast. Rainy days are not great for watercolor, but it's not the only thing to worry about. If it's hot like today, you really need sunscreen. A hat isn't a bad idea and, of course, water. Lots of water.
2. Sitting down: You found a magical landscape; it's beautiful and you want spend the day painting it in all its glory. At some point you are going to want to sit. A small portable stool or chair is a valuable investment to an artist and can be kept in your trunk if it folds up enough.
3. Carrying your art supplies: You want something to carry your stuff in: paint, brushes, a board to draw on, etc. A large bag works great. You can even find them with wheels. Always clean out your bag or it will get full of lots of things you no longer need and become needlessly heavy and hard to navigate. (This is advice I will follow myself one day. If you are in any of my classes you know about my giant overflowing art bag.)
4. Water and trash: Bring a separate water you can use to clean brushes and a small bag for trash. You don't want to leave anything behind.
1. Weather: Obviously before you head out you want to check the forecast. Rainy days are not great for watercolor, but it's not the only thing to worry about. If it's hot like today, you really need sunscreen. A hat isn't a bad idea and, of course, water. Lots of water.
2. Sitting down: You found a magical landscape; it's beautiful and you want spend the day painting it in all its glory. At some point you are going to want to sit. A small portable stool or chair is a valuable investment to an artist and can be kept in your trunk if it folds up enough.
3. Carrying your art supplies: You want something to carry your stuff in: paint, brushes, a board to draw on, etc. A large bag works great. You can even find them with wheels. Always clean out your bag or it will get full of lots of things you no longer need and become needlessly heavy and hard to navigate. (This is advice I will follow myself one day. If you are in any of my classes you know about my giant overflowing art bag.)
4. Water and trash: Bring a separate water you can use to clean brushes and a small bag for trash. You don't want to leave anything behind.