Pastels and the weather often do not mix well

Plein air painting with soft pastels offers a unique and dynamic opportunity to capture the essence of the natural world. By choosing the right surface, using a practical easel or portable setup, adapting to light and weather, simplifying your approach to color and composition, and being prepared for the challenges of outdoor painting, you can create vibrant, expressive works that reflect the beauty and energy of the environment around you.

Above all, remember that plein air painting is about enjoying the process and embracing the unpredictability of nature. The more you practice and immerse yourself in the experience, the more you’ll develop your unique artistic voice in the plein air tradition. Painting outdoors, is a rewarding way to capture the vibrancy and essence of a scene directly from nature. Whether you're painting a field, a forest, or a bustling city street, the experience of working in the open air can be rewarding. Soft pastels, known for their vivid colors and buttery texture, offer an excellent medium for plein air painting. Their immediacy and portability make them an ideal choice for outdoor painting.

However, plein air painting with soft pastels presents unique challenges, from changing light conditions to unpredictable weather. Below are five key tips to help you make the most of your plein air pastel experience.

Choose the Right Surface for Soft Pastels

When it comes to plein air painting with soft pastels, the surface you choose plays a crucial role in how your colors will appear and how easily you can blend them. Soft pastels require a textured surface that will hold the pigment and allow you to build up layers.

• Pastel Paper: Specially designed pastel papers such as Canson Mi-Teintes, Sennelier La Carte, or UArt are great choices for plein air work. These papers have a tooth (texture) that holds the pastel particles and allows you to layer them without excessive dust buildup.
• Sandpaper: Some plein air painters prefer using sanded paper, such as the UArt or Wallis papers, because it provides a smooth yet textured surface that allows for excellent blending.
• Boards: For those who prefer to work on a firmer surface, pastel boards or canvas boards with a gesso primer made for pastels are a great alternative. They hold pastels securely and offer a good amount of flexibility.

When working outdoors, you need to be prepared for the varying effects of the environment on your surface. Wind, moisture, and fluctuating temperatures can all affect how your pastels interact with the surface. Bring a sturdy surface, such as a clipboard or easel that can securely hold your paper or board in place, ensuring your work remains steady as you paint.

Use an Easel or Portable Setup

A proper easel or portable setup is crucial when painting outdoors. Plein air painting can be physically demanding, so having a well-organized and convenient setup will make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful. There are many plein air easels on the market that cater to pastel painting, and choosing the right one depends on your individual needs and preferences.

• Plein Air Easels: These easels are designed to be lightweight, compact, and portable. Many models come with built-in storage for your pastels, papers, and other materials, which helps keep your gear organized. Look for an easel with an adjustable height and sturdy construction to ensure it can withstand outdoor conditions.
• Portable Easels for Pastels: Some pastel-specific easels come with a drawing board that holds your pastel paper securely, along with a tray for your pastels. These are ideal for painting in fields, parks, or even urban settings, as they provide stability without being too bulky.
• Art Cart or Bag: For those who prefer a more casual setup, an art cart or bag can provide enough storage space to keep everything you need at your fingertips. You can carry your soft pastels, sketchbook, and other tools, while keeping the setup portable and easy to transport.

It's important to choose a setup that suits your style and level of comfort. Being able to paint freely without worrying about your materials will help you focus on your artistic expression rather than the technicalities of your equipment.

Master the Changing Light and Weather Conditions

One of the most challenging aspects of plein air painting is dealing with the ever-changing light and weather conditions. The light can shift rapidly, changing the colors and the way your subject appears to you. For soft pastel artists, this is especially important, as pastels are highly responsive to light. Here are some ways to adapt to changing conditions:

• Plan for the Light: If you're painting a landscape, it’s useful to arrive early or stay later in the day to capture the light at its most interesting. The "golden hour," which occurs just after sunrise and just before sunset, provides warm, rich colors and shadows that can add depth to your work.
• Work Quickly: Pastels allow for immediate application, which is an advantage when light changes fast. Get your major elements down on your surface quickly, and then refine your details as you go. Work in broad strokes initially, then layer finer details and highlights as the light changes.
• Monitor the Weather: The weather can significantly affect your plein air experience. Wind can blow pastels off the paper or carry dust that interferes with your painting. If you’re painting in windy conditions, consider using a heavy pastel paper or board, and set up a windbreak if possible. If it starts to rain, you may want to protect your artwork by covering it with a plastic sheet or packing up for the day.

To help mitigate sudden changes, be sure to bring along a variety of materials, including pastel fixative, to help protect your work. Also, using a pastel box with a lid will allow you to shield your pastels from the elements.

Use Bold, Simplified Strokes and Color Choices

When painting outdoors, you’ll need to make decisions about what to include and what to leave out. Often, the key to successful plein air painting is simplifying the scene and focusing on key elements rather than trying to replicate every detail. Soft pastels excel at bold, expressive strokes that convey the essence of a subject with minimal effort. Here are some strategies to keep in mind:

• Limit Your Palette: A smaller, more focused palette helps you avoid overcomplicating the scene. Choose a set of colors that reflect the overall mood of your subject. For instance, a landscape might require greens, yellows, blues, and earth tones, while a city scene may benefit from a more neutral palette with pops of color.
• Simplify the Composition: Instead of getting bogged down in every detail, focus on the larger shapes and values. Break the scene into a few big masses of light and dark areas. You can always add detail later, but the large brushstrokes should be your focus in the early stages of the painting.
• Embrace the Stroke: Soft pastels are perfect for broad, sweeping gestures. Use the side of the pastel stick to cover large areas quickly, and the tip for more detailed lines or accents. The key is to be bold and deliberate with your strokes, capturing the spirit of the scene rather than getting lost in unnecessary minutiae.

One advantage of using pastels in plein air is the ability to work both quickly and expressively. Rather than being overly precise, allow the medium’s natural texture to help convey the dynamic energy of the landscape.

Prepare for the Challenge of Portability and Setup

Painting on location requires a high degree of organization and preparation. Unlike studio painting, you’ll need to keep everything you need easily accessible, as space and time are often limited. Being able to pack up quickly, set up efficiently, and maintain your focus on the artwork itself is crucial.

• Pastel Boxes and Organizers: Invest in a portable pastel box with individual compartments for each color. This will help keep your pastels organized, allowing you to access the colors you need without wasting time searching for them. Many plein air pastel boxes come with foam inserts that secure each stick in place, making them easier to transport without causing breakage.
• Fixative and Other Essentials: Having a can of pastel fixative on hand is essential for preserving your work, especially when dealing with wind or rain. Use a fixative lightly between layers to lock in your pastel marks and prevent smudging.
• Stay Light on Supplies: Only bring the materials you really need. A small palette of pastels, a sketchbook or pad of paper, a rag for cleaning your hands, and a basic toolkit will be sufficient for most plein air outings. Don’t weigh yourself down with unnecessary supplies.
• Practice Transporting Your Setup: Before heading out to paint in the field, practice setting up and packing away your materials at home. This way, you can develop a routine that makes the plein air process more efficient and less stressful. Being able to quickly move between locations or adjust your setup according to the changing light conditions is an important skill for plein air artists.