Plein Air Painting

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We are still in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are working to keep our kids engaged, active, and getting fresh air in a way that is responsible and safe. As always, during the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to check in with your state guidelines to be sure you are following rules and acting responsibly. Remind your little ones to give others at least 6 feet of space when outside, to keep hands away from their face, and to wash hands throughly after any outing. It takes extra effort to educate, activate, and be the sole source of social engagement for our kids- but we are up for the challenge!

Plein Air Painting

Plein Air means to paint outside, to help capture the spirit, light, and color of the outdoors. For parents, “plein air” means an easier clean up. But my kids think “plein air” just means “art, but MORE FUN because it’s outside”. I look at her image, above, and it makes me want to get outside and try!

Set Up and Supplies

Andrea recommends making sure you have everything you need, and getting everybody cozy and comfortable before starting. Doesn’t her set up (below) just MAKE you feel creative? This is her supply list:

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  • Something to draw with (colored pencils/pencils, crayons, markers) you name it!

  • Paper - thicker is better, this will help it not fall apart if your kiddo uses lots of water ;)

    • Tip: Tape onto a recycled piece of hardboard, this will give you a surface to paint on while you’re out exploring & keep your paper from blowing away in the wind!

  • Watercolor Set

  • Brushes

  • Cup of Water

  • Towel or Rag


Elements to Consider

Andrea teaches kids that there are four parts to a landscape painting. Help your kids identify the horizon line, the background, the middle ground, and the foreground . This website does a great job showing some examples of what each of these things mean  (Andrea will go into more detail when she gives her plein air painting lesson next week). Interesting to note, Huck still thinks the sky is just a thin blue line at the top of the page- Andrea can share some interesting cognitive development that goes along with this!

Color

Plein Air takes inspiration from nature. As your little ones sit outside, help them look around and identify colors they can find in nature, and try to match them using their supplies (watercolor in our case).

Plein Air Painting

Be an Observer

Perhaps most importantly, Andrea says “Be an observer!  Draw three different items you found on an adventure today!” (Huck used a little “creative” observation skills, and imagined that a lady bug spotted moose left the footprints we found on our hike).

Plein Air Painting

Paint with Andrea

Join us on Friday April 25 at 11am to paint with Andrea on IG live in your backyards! Andrea will entertain your children, and will be providing some helpful tips for beginning to paint outside. Huck and I can’t wait!