Location, Location, Location!

Anyone who has taken a workshop with me knows I am a big advocate for working on location. I fully understand that it can be intimidating at first. The thought of people watching or asking questions can keep all of us securely locked in the safety of a studio. However, the benefits learned on location greatly surpass any fears we may have.

Two Types of Location Work

Most people think of working on location in terms of a full blow "Plein Air" painting setup, like above on the left. However, more common is the minimal setup shown on the right. A sketchbook, some pens with a set of watercolours. The setup on the left was the final stage from a month-long series of preliminary studies and sketches done for a painting challenge using the smaller setup. This was the finished painting. 

Urban Sketching

Additionally, you don't have to be in a field or a forest somewhere, you can sketch in a cafe, along the street or in a mall. This is where a smaller kit comes into play. A grassroots art movement that has spread worldwide in the last decade is known as Urban Sketching. Basically, it is about getting out into the urban setting and sketching anything from a coffee cup, a cafe scene, a bus or a family out doing some shopping. Urban Sketching is not about how "good" you are but simply to get out, draw and have fun. 

What Are the Benefits?

When you are on location quick decisions have to be made and adhered to. Light is changing, the weather is a variable, or you may be unable to stay in one place for very long. While this initially sounds unappealing what it does is cause your drawing to improve. How? You can't procrastinate. Judgements need to be made about what to edit out and leave in. Complex, detailed objects are simplified. You learn to see what is important about a scene and focus on that. You stop worrying about being "perfect" and focus on doing your best, which gets better much more quickly being outside than in your studio.

Getting Comfortable
To become more at ease when working on location, just take it in small steps. Start simple, a little sketchbook with a pencil or pen is all you need. Most people will think you are writing. As you get more comfortable you can add a watercolour set or coloured pencils, markers, etc. For some information on setting up a small sketch kit click HERE. Another thing that is a big help, whether just beginning or an old pro, is to locate a place to work where your back is against something. A tree, a wall, a building, etc. This way you can see who is coming at you with no surprises. People are less inclined to approach you from the front. 

You Never Know Who You Might Meet
One day during an outdoor workshop this curious Stellar's Jay popped in. He was grabbing at everyone's brushes and pens, even tired flying off with a few. I think he just wanted to join in.

Take A Friend 

People will be less inclined to come up to you if you are not alone. Bring along a sketch partner, a paint group or even just someone who is there to read a book, listen to a podcast, or enjoy the fresh air.

"Everything that is painted directly and on the spot has always a strength, a power, a vivacity of touch which one cannot recover in the studio... three strokes of a brush in front of nature are worth more than two days of work at the easel." Eugene Boudin