How to Have a Successful Plein Air Experience

'Along the River'         5x7        oil on panel
sold

Plein air painting can be frustrating. One of the premises of my workshop last week was how to take plein air from frustration to fun.  There is one word that sums it up......SIMPLIFY.  If you want to get the most out of the experience you need to start with this word in mind. Simplify everything!  Your supplies, your expectations, your paintings, your goals.

I know I used to make the whole plein air thing much to complicated. Especially my supplies. I was so afraid that I would need something so I filled a tall office cart so full of supplies that I couldn't even find what I wanted. Not to mention how difficult it was to drag the cart around and how long it took to set up!

SIMPLIFY

• Simplify your supplies. Try to limit your palette and support size. Ideally if you can fit your supplies into a backpack (rolling or not) you will have enough and be happier with your lighter load.
• Simplify your expectations. Plein air is valuable. Think of the experience itself as the goal. Lower your expectations. Don't plan on completing framable masterpieces. Instead plan on enjoying the time out in nature gathering studies. Remove the pressure and have fun.
• Simplify your paintings. It is tempting to want to put everything in the painting. So much is inspiring and it is often overwhelming. Simplify and do a few smaller studies.
• Simplify your goals. Set mini goals for your plein air excursions. Don't try to accomplish everything you want right away.

'Riverside Delight'          5x7      oil on panel         ©Karen Margulis

I am new to oil painting. I think I only attempted plein air with oil once a few years ago so I approached the weekend with the midst of a beginner. I decided I would only work with oils but would start by painting things that I was comfortable painting with pastels. I didn't try to accomplish too much and just enjoyed taking baby steps. I SIMPLIFIED! I worked small with a limited palette and painted close up flowers....things I know best. I simplified my goals and only expected to have fun. And I did!

I finished 10 small studies this weekend

'violet'        5x7    oil on panel

How To Get it All Done....Reflections on the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

January Oil Paintings  all 5x7 on panel      ©Karen Margulis
available on Daily Paintworks Auction  $30 starting bid

What is it they say about the best laid plans?  I began the month of January with nothing on the schedule except a trip to Chicago to visit my granddaughter and teaching a one day workshop. I knew I would have plenty of time to participate in Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 days challenge. It was going to be my month for devoting myself to getting comfortable with oils. 

I started strong. I made it to 14 oils paintings. I even added to the challenge by doing both an oil and pastel of each day's study. The pastel study helped me understand the oils better. 

But then opportunity knocked on my studio door in the way of two big commission projects requiring some very large paintings. Great news of course.....but they both had a deadline of the first week of February! The 30 in 30 challenge would have to wait. 

Somehow I still continued to paint as well as work on the commissions and at the end of this very crazy month of painting I managed to finish 56 paintings.....14 small oils, a variety of miscellaneous pastels, 4 30x40 pastels, 16 2x5 foot acrylic panels. Whew! It was a fun and productive month and I have gotten quite a few questions about how I manage to fit it all in. Read on for some tips!

All challenge oils paintings are available through Daily Paintworks on auction. In honor of the challenge the opening bid will be $30 each!

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auctions/#/artist=margulis,%20karen&mode=search

Tips for Getting More Painting Done

• Make painting a priority. I speed through my chores and household obligations so I can paint.. If you want more time to paint find ways to optimize your time spent on other obligations. You can't really do it with 100% effort but I choose to put more effort into painting than cooking and cleaning (and happily my husband totally supports this!)
• Organize your studio or painting supplies. This is so important especially if you have limited painting time or no real studio space. If you spend time fiddling with supplies it takes time away from creating. I spent a month organizing my supplies and it made a world of difference in how efficient I was able to be this month.
• Keep a checklist and do the hard stuff first. The first thing I do each day is look at my checklist and tackle at least two of the hard things...things I put off or dread (which for me is usually paperwork) This clears my head and makes room for art. I find that the longer it stays on my list the more I dread it until it finally begins to bog me down. Don't put off the hard stuff and painting will feel like a reward.
• Find a support system. You can't do it alone! Being an artist can be lonely. Having non-artist family members makes it even harder. Do what you can to have the support of your family. make sure they know how important time for art is to you. Find other artists to help you stay focused and just share the journey. Local art groups, online art friends, workshops ...make it a priority to find your art family!

Some of the 56 paintings completed January 2016

When Your Underpainting Speaks

'Wild and Free'                     5x7         oil          ©Karen Margulis
available $75

Sometimes a painting will speak. I have to remind myself to listen because it might have something good to say.  I began both of these poppy paintings with a plan. I wanted to have a wild and free poppy meadow under a bright blue sunny sky.  

The first painting I did was the pastel. (photo below) I chose to do a warm color underpainting to accentuate the sunniness of the day. I chose a value underpainting using red. I used salmon for the meadow and pale pink for the sky. I had every intention of layering a beautiful blue sky on top of the pink underpainting. As the painting developed I hesitated to touch the sky. I liked it just the way it was. I liked the pink sky.

The sky was not pink in my reference photo. The sky was supposed to be blue. Leaving it pink meant I changed my whole concept for the painting. Could I do that? Of course I could.

I am an artist.....not a camera.

'Wild and Free 2'        5x7         pastel           $75

I have the artistic license to change anything in a painting if it means making it better. I liked the softness of the pink sky. I liked the atmosphere and mood it created. I was excited by what the painting was telling me.....Keep the sky pink! So I did. And I also painted the oil study with the pink sky.

Important tip:  Whenever your painting moves away from your original concept and reference make sure you adjust the painting to fit the new concept. For example, in the poppy painting changing the sky to a soft pink meant that it was a different time of day and the light was different. I had to make sure to tone down the red on the flowers. I used a salmon pink for the lit areas of the flowers rather than the orange-red I would use if it were a sunny day.

If you would like to paint poppies consider my new pdf demo on painting poppies close-up. See it here in my etsy shop :https://www.etsy.com/listing/263334117/pastel-painting-lesson-demo-pdf

Inspiring Thought for all Artists.... from Finland

'Sidewalk Beauties'        5x7     pastel      ©Karen Margulis
available $75

I find the best things browsing Facebook. I know it can be a time waster and I probably check my feed more than I should....but everyday I come across something of value. Everyday I see beautiful art, delicious recipes and adorable animals. But every once in awhile I come across a gem that stops me in my tracks. Yesterday was one of those days.

I clicked on an article about kindergarten children in Finland because I love Finland and my daughter is about to become an elementary school teacher. I was curious. The article discussed how Finnish kindergarten children were joyful because they had more playtime and less rigorous literacy instruction. They learned valuable skills through PLAY. Very different from most American children. A quote in the article grabbed my attention:

"Those things you learn without JOY you will forget easily"

old Finnish saying

How true this is!  It got me thinking about art and learning to paint. I know that when I am painting with a playful attitude I make all kinds of discoveries and connections. Take this week of daily oil and pastel studies. Oil painting is new and exciting. I set it up as a game. Every morning I wake up excited to play. What will I paint next? What will I learn? It is fun. I am playing and I am joyful. Like a Finnish school girl!

'Sidewalk Beauties'        5x7    pastel    $75

I have learned so much in just a week of consistent daily oil painting. Setting it up as a game and being part of a challenge is making it fun. If the old Finnish saying is true....the things I am learning, I will remember!

How do you learn best? Do you set yourself up to play more often? Make sure that when you paint....you do it with JOY!

SOS for Painting More Often

'Marsh Walk'          5x7      oil on panel       ©Karen Margulis
available $75

 It wasn't really my plan. I didn't intend to paint 2 daily paintings every day. I joined the 30 paintings in 30 day challenge so I would be motivated (ok....pushed) to paint more with oils. It is day 5 and I have 10 paintings to show for my effort. I can't stop now and I am glad I began doing both a small pastel and a small oil. I have learned so much already by having an immediate and very direct comparison of the two mediums.

But I have learned something even more valuable and I need to share my discovery. It is important for all new painters and for all of us who want to paint more often.

I call it the SOS for Painting Practice. Intrigued? Read on!

'Marsh Walk II'         5x7       pastel          $75

SOS For Painting Practice

If you want to paint more frequently there are three things that will help. Painting more often doesn't mean only Daily Painting or doing a challenge....it simply means making time for art even with a busy schedule. It means taking time out at least weekly to paint and not waiting for a class or workshop or the perfect conditions.  What is SOS?

It stands for SIMPLE, ORGANIZED and SLOW & STEADY

• SIMPLE: Keep it simple and you are going to have more success. Start with a simple set up and a limited palette. Use the same paper or surface. Practicing with the same materials will help you master them. You will get to know what they do and how they work. Gradually introduce new supplies. Starting out with 25 tubes of paint or 500 pastels can be overwhelming. Keep it simple for success.

• ORGANIZED: I don't usually stay organized but I am finding that having all of my oil painting supplies handy and very organized is making it easier to quickly get started. I am taking time to clean up and set up for the next painting before moving on to something else. Being organized is a game changer! Take time to get organized.

• SLOW & STEADY: Understand that it takes many many paintings before you will feel comfortable. Making the commitment for the long term will remove the pressure to perform. Reminding yourself that it is only practice will free you to play and explore. The result will be a happier painting experience and ultimately better paintings.

I have taken my own advice and set up a small area dedicated to oil painting. I have my paints, brushes, water, paper towels, wipes, reference photos and toned panels all together and ready to go. It is making it very easy to do my quick daily painting without spending so much time setting everything up.

Pastel or Oil? Taking on the Challenge

'Winter Delight'          5x7        oil on panel        ©Karen Margulis
available $75

Pastels are my very close friends. I have my favorites. I know how they work. We are just easy and comfortable together. Painting with my pastels is like lunch with close friends. Fun and relaxed with no need for unnecessary small talk.  Oils on the other hand are new friends. I'm still learning how they work, what I can do with them. What I need to avoid. Excited to get together and paint with them for the sheer joy of discovery.

I have dabbled with oils over the years. I say dabble because I don't take them out enough. In fact I had not touched them in well over a year.  I usually turn first to my good friends, pastels.  So often I hear people say that oils are better than pastels....that they are held in higher esteem. I decided to commit to becoming a better oil painter not for this reason though. I want a challenge and I want to take my pastel paintings to the next level. Challenging myself to understand and work in another medium will only help my pastels.

'Winter Delight 2'           5x7        pastel         ©Karen Margulis     $75

I toned the panel magenta for a cooler feeling

I am on day 4 of my 30 in 30 challenge and I am learning a lot. What I discovered it that I might just like oils just as much as pastels. But for different reasons.

• I love the vibrancy and luminosity of pastels but I LOVE the texture I can get with oils.
• I love seeing brushstrokes in my paintings, something that I can't really do with pastels. Sure we can get the illusion of brushstrokes with a textured support but it isn't the same.
• I love the effortless texture I can get with oil paint. Thick paint either by brush or palette knife can't be duplicated.  I have found ways to build up pastel and get some texture but it takes work. You can't just pile on thick piles of pastel as easily.

So I am still on my honeymoon with my oils. We still have a long way to go before we are old friends. I know that it will take many miles of canvas before that happens.  And now that I can leave my paints set up in my newly organized studio, I am planning to keep the paint wet!
I want to encourage anyone who has been tempted to try a new medium to jump in and give it a try. Make new friends and watch how it will enrich the relationships you have with your old friends!

Note about today's paintings. I did the pastel first. I knew I wanted to use turquoise in the snow shadows. Easy. Just pick up the right stick. But then when I got to the oils I couldn't get the turquoise color with my limited palette. I had to play around and add a touch of another green to get the color I wanted. I loved the challenge of the discovery....it is perfect for my 'what if' mentality. Oh and I know I could do color charts but for now I just want to play and make discoveries.

A Simple Tip For Overcoming Inspiration Paralysis

'A Quiet Spot'           5x7      oil on panel      ©Karen Margulis
available $75

It is a time killer. How often do you have time to paint and spend most of it trying to decide WHAT to paint? How often have you gone through stacks of reference photos only to decide you have nothing at all that inspires you. How many times have you given up and called it a day because you spent all of your painting time trying to find inspiration? 

It happens and it isn't a good habit to have. I call it Inspiration Paralysis. If you are trying to make a commitment to paint more often this is one habit that needs to be changed. When I started daily painting it was a challenge at first to find things I wanted to paint. I quickly learned that once I got started on a painting it would give me ideas for another.....and it snowballed until I was never at a loss for inspiration.

This quote from Chuck Close is so true. We just need to get into the studio, pick something to paint and get to work. Inspiration will come with painting. Get the engine primed and it will take off!  It doesn't have to be the perfect subject. It just needs to be something that you know....that you like.

I have a simple tip that helps me overcome the 'inspiration paralysis'.  

I call it an Inspiration Jar. 

My INSPIRATION JAR is filled with things I love to paint

I fill my inspiration jar with small contact sheet size reference photos. I like working from small photos so this size is perfect (about 2 x 3) If you work from photos on your tablet or computer you could fill your jar with slips of paper listing subject matter. If I worked from a tablet I think I would still print out contact photos of my potential subject. These small photos are perfect for doing thumbnails!

When it is time to paint I simply reach into my jar and pull out a photo. That is what I will paint for that session.  Of course I make sure that the photos on my jar are all things that I want to paint. They are all my own photos and they all have inspired me. It really doesn't matter what order I paint these subjects. Daily painting is all about putting in practice time at the easel. I dent want to waste my precious painting time agonizing over subject matter!

'A Quiet Spot II'        5x7      pastel     $75

 I am participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 Painting in 30 days challenge. There are over 1200 artists around the world participating. I am doing a 5x7 oil and pastel of the same scene each day. My goal is to get better at oil painting. I am not giving up pastels! I just want to be fluent in both....kind of like learning another language.  See all of the challenge paintings here.

Day One of a January Challenge....Oil Painting!

'Prairie Magic'        5x7  oil on panel        ©Karen Margulis
available here    $75

I could read about it. I could watch videos. I could buy all the supplies and stare at them. But I won't ever become fluent if I don't jump in and do it. I am talking about becoming fluent with oil painting. Like learning a language, the best way to learn is to speak...to jump in and communicate in the language. I have been wanting to get better at oils but just have not spent time really working at it. 

I want to feel as comfortable painting with oils as I do pastels. I'll discuss why in another post but to become fluent I know I need to practice. I decided that joining Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge will give me the push I need to paint in oils every day. Daily painting worked for me with pastels so I know I can do it if I am committed to making it a habit. There are almost 1000 artists around the world joining the challenge. See the challenge paintings here.

I have set up my studio for success. I want to make it easy to do a quick daily painting. Let's take a tour:

This is my oil painting corner.  I have invested in a new set up for oils. I purchased a Strada Micro easel. It is a very compact box that works nicely with my Oben tripod. My intention is to do more plein air and be able to paint with either pastel or oils. I am going to the Plein Air Convention in April with Marsha Savage and plan to bring my new Strada. It is an investment for sure but I have learned the hard way with pastels....spend the money for the best you can afford rather than trying to make due and struggle with lesser equipment. (all the cheap equipment will eventually add up anyway!)

A closer look at the Strada. I purchased  the two side trays that come off and store inside the box for travel. I love how easy it is to attach a panel.  No knobs or screws to turn and tighten and lose!

I set up a little side table to hold my brushes, paper towels and water. I am using Cobra water soluble oils for this project. I have regular oils but I want to make clean up quick and easy. I really don't know the difference between the two since I have used either so little. It is all a learning experience!

I am planning to begin with a limited palette of Ultramarine Blue, Red,  Cad Yellow Medium, white and black. I have other colors available but I am learning how to mix paint so I want to keep it limited so I can learn slowly. Today's painting was done with this palette.

I began the painting by toning my panel with transparent oxide red. I did a quick drawing with pencil and started with a thin wash of dark purple. Throughout the painting I kept asking myself...."What would I do if I were painting with pastels?"  It helped me decide how to build the painting.

After I finished the oil painting I decided to add another element to the challenge.....I will do a small 5x7 pastel of each daily painting.  This way I can compare and learn from each medium.
 I really liked my oil set up. It truly was easy to get going and clean up. I am going to enjoy this challenge!

Oil on the left and 5x7 pastel version on the right both available $75 each

Uses for a Pastel Study

'Golden days'              5x7            oil on panel             ©Karen Margulis
sold

It is time well spent. Taking time to paint small studies has a payoff. Not only do small color studies play a role in making a good plan for a painting, they often stand on their own as little paintings. I enjoy framing or matting small 2.5x3.5 studies. It is easy to find a space for a small piece of art. I also am finding my studies serve yet another purpose. Small pastel studies help bridge the transition between mediums.

Using a study done in your current 'comfort zone' medium as inspiration for painting in a new medium is the key to a more successful painting.

It is challenging enough to learn to be fluent in a new medium....what are the proper techniques? How do we get the tools to do what we want? Do we even have the right supplies? Technical concerns take up much of our efforts.

2.5 x 3.5 inches     pastel study

Using successful studies for subject matter allows us to concentrate on the techniques and the new materials. We remove much of the struggle that goes into painting. We don't have to worry about composition or choosing values and colors. We have already done that work in our study. Now we can pay attention to the new medium....how to mix the color or find the right color. How to manipulate the brush or the pastel. 

One less thing to worry about makes the transition more enjoyable! I have many simple pastel studies that I know will make good subject matter for practice with oils. The next time you want to experiment with a new medium consider using studies from your comfort medium as inspiration!

I can't wait to get back at the easel and paint from my studies!

close up detail

I have been out of town teaching for much of the past month. I wasn't able to blog as frequently as usual but I am back home now filled with ideas and inspiration. I look forward to sharing with you!

Art Inspiration from Finland

'The View from the Summer House'             5x7             oil on panel             ©Karen Margulis
purchase painting on Etsy $95

 Was it Finland that inspired me to pick up a paintbrush? Annika was right. Finland and my new friend Heidi had something to do with my new adventure with oils. Heidi Hjort was one of the Finnish artists who took my workshop this past summer. She wanted to join us but she painted with oils. I was happy to have her join the group. After all oils and pastels are very close related and she would hopefully still learn something.

The evening view

In the end, as it always is, we all learned from one another. It was an amazing experience. A multicultural potpourri of art spirits from Finland, Sweden, Germany, England and the US. We were hosted with warmth and great care by Annika Ostman....a fantastic artist and now friend, at her summer house in Asklat, Finland.

The summer house sat at the edge of the Baltic Sea and provided an always changing view. I painted the view many times and I know it will become one of my favorite motifs much like the marshes of Stan Sperlak's Crow Creek. More on the workshop and the summer house tomorrow.

Heidi and Satu painting at the summer house

What did Heidi have to do with me picking up a paintbrush? She was that little push that told me I needed to try it again. She was painting lovely work and seemed to be so in tune with the paintbrush. I wanted to experience that as well. I have done 4 daily paintings so far and I have a long way to go but I will always remember my special time in Finland and the effect it has had on my art spirit. Tack Annika and Heidi! (and all of the wonderful artists in our group!)

Heidi writes a wonderful art blog and I invite you to check it out. Today she shares a post about one of her favorite artists, Bato Dugarzhapov. Check out her blog and the links to Bato's work:

 http://heidihjort.com/2015/09/15/learning-from-a-master/ 

hard at work...summer 2015

Art Inspiration from Yoda

'Just in Time for Bluebonnets'                5x7            oil on panel            ©Karen Margulis
purchase this painting on Etsy $95

A new adventure is unfolding. I have painted my third small oil painting. One a day for three days. I didn't really start with a goal in mind. I just wanted to try the Cobra water mixable oils. But it is slowly calling me to do more that just try. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes...from Yoda of Star Wars fame.

'Do or Do Not. There is no Try.'  Yoda

I have it posted in my studio. I helps me stay focused on whatever I am working on. It reminds me that if I really want to get better at anything I work on, I have to give 100%. I have to do more than try. I have to Do.

Doing has worked for me in the past. When I wanted to get past the learning curve with pastels I made the commitment to paint every day. It worked. Now I am facing a new medium. I have tried it in the past but never fully committed to it. I painted a few and put the oils away.  I didn't work hard enough at Doing. I didn't make time to practice.

the photo references used for the painting

Is it now time to make that commitment? With the water mixable oils it sure is easier to work on a daily small painting and still have time for pastels. And I do know that the more I paint the faster I will get past the oil learning curve. It will begin to feel less frustrating! I believe I will take up Yoda's advice once again. I hope you will enjoy seeing my oils as well as pastels!

What is it that you would like to do better? Make the commitment with me to work harder at DOING and not just TRYING!

Something New....Trying Cobra Water Mixable Oils

'Sunshine'               5x7        oil on panel          ©Karen Margulis
sold

Sometimes I wish for more hours in a day. There is so much yet to discover about art....new materials, new mediums, different subjects. I want to try it all! I am finally making time to explore oils. I tried a few years ago. I enjoyed painting with a brush but found clean up a pain. Since I was teaching pastel classes in my studio I couldn't leave the oils out. As you know....out of sight can lead to out of mind. I didn't follow through with the oils and they sit on a shelf.

But they weren't too far from my mind. A discussion with a friend about Cobra water mixable oils by Royal Talens got me thinking. If I only needed water to clean up it would be easier to manage both the oils and the pastel classes. So I treated myself to a few tubes of paint and the recommended brushes.

Today I had some time to play. I took out a 5x7 panel and squeezed out a limited palette of yellow, red, blue and white and set to work. I decided to paint some sunflowers. From the first brushstroke I was impressed. It felt great. The paint was rich and buttery. I was able to thin it with water to create a wash/block in. I finished with some palette knife petals. Rinsing the brush in water was so easy and it helped me keep the colors fresh.

I enjoyed my painting session and I am anxious to paint some more!  I will give a more detailed review of the paints as I spend more time with them. Visit the website for more information:
https://www.royaltalens.com/products/water-mixable-oil-colours/

close up detail

Success with Oil Painting!

'Summer Days'            6x8         oil on panel       ©Karen Margulis  sold

 What a great birthday!  I decided to schedule a workshop on my birthday because painting and teaching are my two favorite things to do. So what better way to celebrate than have a group of artists come to my studio to paint!  I was a little bit apprehensive though about the subject....oil painting!
But what a great time we had and best of all everyone left with a nice painting and excited to do more!

So why was I apprehensive?  I am primarily a pastelist. I dabble in oils. I had been asked by several students to teach an oil workshop but I put it off since I didn't feel I knew enough to offer anything  of value. But then I had a thought.  I had a very challenging introduction to oils. I actually gave up and thought I couldn't do it. But then some things happened and I started having more success.

What if I could share what I learned to help other artists have success with oils and not be intimidated? After all it was all very fresh in my mind. I planned a four hour workshop geared towards pastel artists who wanted to try oils.  All but one student had any oil experience.  Look at the wonderful paintings they did!

Paintings done by the class

We covered a lot of information in the four hours but I will summarize the two principles that guide me when I paint with oils.

• KEEP IT SIMPLE. From working with a limited palette to using a minimum amount of supplies, I try to keep my oil set up simple. Now I have my 5x7 pocket box painting practice will be even easier.
• THINK LIKE A PASTELIST. I find it helps me get out of trouble with an oil painting if I ask myself "What would I do if this was a pastel painting?"  I usually then can figure out what to try.

'Desert Oasis'    5x7    oil     demo
click here to purchase $100

I will be scheduling another Oil workshop in the Fall so email me if you are interested!

****Some of my readers opened up their daily email today/yesterday and saw a post saying that they were unsubscribed from my blog. I didn't post this!  Somehow my newsletter provider Mailchimp put the post there and it was sent out in my feed. My subscriber list is from Feedburner so you should still be subscribed and if you got this post then you are!  I want to apologize for this. I was hacked somehow and I am still trying to find out how it happened. I appreciate my readers and would never unsubscribe anyone! And to reassure you if you did resubscribe it was actually to my newsletter which I only send a couple of times each year.Thank you for your understanding.