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Good afternoon collectors, fellow artists, and friends,

As we approach the pinnacle of summer, I find myself thinking of the great outdoors. With the world at its most lush and green, this season also coincides with the busiest time of year for plein air painting. My thoughts on the topic are nearly as nuanced as the act itself, so today I thought we might explore the process together.

I myself am no stranger to the process of plein air painting. During my time with the SC Watermedia Society, I had the privilege of developing the Newberry Plein Air Paint Out to foster relationships and friendly competition between the lovely members of the SCWS community. Now, what started as a small competition has grown into a signature event that attracts dozens of bright-eyed artists to Newberry each year in hopes of capturing the hidden gems the city has to offer. Beyond the Newberry Plein Air Paint Out, I have also participated in competitions around South Carolina, such as the Edisto Beach Paint Out. Each of these locations features a new and exciting composition for the artists to capture, however, plein air’s true challenge lies beyond the brush and page. 

By far the most difficult aspect of plein air painting exists in the unknowable challenges brought on by nature. As we know, the outside world is a far contrast to the controlled laboratory of our studios. Some days, we step outside to be greeted with sunshine and breeze; on others, we drive three hours to our location and end up painting from the trunk of our car in a thunderstorm! Some might find this uncertainty exhilarating; but myself, I prefer not to battle the elements at the same time as I battle sketching the right perspective. Weather, temperature, wildlife, even passersby, can all affect the way you capture your piece during a plein air paint out.

An additional hurdle of plein air comes from the time constraints. For those painting for enjoyment, capturing the angles of light becomes challenging as the sun moves across the sky. For competitors, they must complete the difficult task of capturing their composition in eight hours, six, or even fewer. The artist must truly understand their limits in order to select a subject matter that can be painted successfully in such a short period. For myself and others that use glazes in their pieces or other layering techniques, this is especially difficult.

However, I don’t want you, dear reader, to walk away from this brief read believing that plein air is all challenge and no reward. While these obstacles can certainly be frustrating at times, there is nothing as rewarding as placing your finished piece on the wall to be judged and stepping back to discuss with your fellow painters. Overcoming these hurdles and persevering to create a beautiful and unique piece of art is what makes plein air one of the most fulfilling and enlightening processes for an artist. As a teacher, I feel immensely proud watching my students walk up to their piece to gingerly touch the award ribbon hanging from it. In moments such as these, I feel as though I get to embody the saying of “the student has surpassed the teacher.” In closing, when participating in plein air, the artist walks through fire and comes out with new confidence, expanded boundaries, and many times a lesson learned that would have otherwise remained locked away. 

So I part with you by sharing this advice, if you have never participated in a plein air paint out, I highly recommend that you do so. You may have hesitation that you can’t withstand the pressure of the time constraint or the unknowns, but I promise that if you undertake this challenge, you will come out with new wisdom, and many times new friends as well. 

As always, yours, the artist, 

Anne Hightower-Patterson

P.S. Looking for Plein Air Resources in South Carolina? Check these out:

1. Plain Air Painters Carolina
2. SC Watermedia Society - Newberry Plein Air Paint Out
3. Edisto Art Guild - Edisto Plein Air Paint Out
4. And many more across SC and beyond!