Plein Air Painting in Watercolor and Oil

How to envision nature's essence and capture it on paper and canvas. With step-by-step instruction, sidebars, tips and techniques throughout.

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Artists learn how to paint from life successfully in both watercolor and oil by observing the three Ss: see like an artist, simplify what you see, and state it with authority. After starting with some helpful information about the logistics of painting from life, LaLumia goes on to break down the essence of his teaching into clear, simple and concrete parts. Visual examples of photos alongside painted sketches and other instructional art will teach the reader how to see as an artist in a variety of areas. Readers will learn how to plan ahead and make the most of their time "in the field." They'll also learn the basics of rendering natural light and color properly, how different paints can affect their plans and how fluency in the language of painting allows them to capture the extraordinary, magical happenings in the world beyond their window.