Mastering Plein Air Painting with a Three-Color Palette: A Strategic Approach
Plein air painting is both a joy and a challenge for any landscape painter. The beauty of capturing the essence of a scene in real-time is what draws many of us outdoors with our easels, but it also presents a unique set of challenges—especially when working with oil paints. The unpredictability of light, weather, and the sheer complexity of nature can make it overwhelming. Over the years, I’ve developed a strategy to help navigate these challenges, particularly when painting daytime skies, which are a central focus of my work.
The Challenge of Oil Painting Outdoors
Oil painting itself requires a certain level of mastery, and taking it outdoors adds layers of complexity. You’re dealing with constantly changing light, a vast array of colors in the landscape, and the need to work quickly before the scene shifts too much. This is why having a strategy is crucial. For me, the key lies in simplifying my palette and pre-planning my approach to color mixing.
My Atypical Three-Color Palette
One strategy I rely on is using a three-color palette that is a bit atypical yet perfectly suited for capturing the nuances of the daytime sky. My go-to colors are:
Ultramarine Blue
Phthalo Blue
Yellow Ochre
I also incorporate Titanium White to adjust values and create the necessary tints.
Why these colors? Through years of observation, I’ve noticed that clouds and their shadows often carry a slightly warmer tone compared to the sky itself. This led me to choose Ultramarine Blue, which leans towards violet and brings warmth to cloud shadows, and Phthalo Blue, which has a cooler tone perfect for the gradation of the sky.
Plein air painting provides a unique opportunity to understand the essential "ingredients" of a scene. Rather than aiming for a comprehensive representation, focus on key elements that contribute to the overall harmony. A chef doesn't include every vegetable in a dish, and similarly, an artist doesn't include every detail in a painting. The pleasure of progress lies in honing your ability to discern the crucial elements.
The Power of Premixing
Before I begin painting, I pre-mix a nine-step value scale of Ultramarine Blue and Phthalo Blue. This allows me to have a range of tones ready to go, which is crucial when working quickly outdoors.
Ultramarine Blue Value Scale: This string of colors is my go-to for painting clouds. The warmth of Ultramarine Blue beautifully captures the subtle hues found in cloud formations and their shadows.
Phthalo Blue Value Scale: I use this cooler, more intense blue for the sky. The gradation from a deep blue at the zenith to a lighter hue towards the horizon is essential in creating a believable sky.
For the ground colors, I mix a nine-step gradation using Ultramarine Blue and Yellow Ochre. This combination creates a versatile range of earth tones that can be tinted with white to match the value range of the landscape.
Top Row: Ultramarine Blue Value Scale
Middle Row: Phthalo Blue Value Scale
Bottom Row: String of Ultramarine to Yellow Ochre
Why This Strategy Works
This approach works for several reasons:
Simplicity: Limiting my palette to just three colors (plus white) reduces the complexity of color mixing in the field, allowing me to focus more on the painting process.
Versatility: Despite the limited palette, these colors provide a wide range of tones and hues, enabling me to capture the varied and subtle colors of the landscape.
Efficiency: Having a premixed value scale means I can work faster, which is essential when the light is changing rapidly.
By following this strategic approach, I’m able to focus on capturing the essence of the scene without getting overwhelmed by the myriad of colors and details nature presents. Plein air painting remains a challenging but deeply rewarding practice, and with the right strategy, it’s possible to create work that truly captures the beauty and complexity of the outdoors.
Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just starting with plein air painting, I encourage you to experiment with your palette and develop a strategy that works for you. Simplifying your process might just be the key to unlocking a new level of mastery in your work.
The Importance of Thumbnail Sketches
In addition to a strategic color palette, another essential part of my plein air process is creating small thumbnail sketches on location. These sketches are typically 3" x 4" and serve as a quick, exploratory exercise to determine the most compelling composition for a final painting.
Before I commit to a larger work, I’ll sketch out about six different thumbnails. These small studies allow me to experiment with various compositions, playing with elements such as horizon lines, focal points, and the balance between sky and ground. By doing this, I can quickly assess what works and what doesn’t, saving time and avoiding frustration later in the painting process.
Here’s a photo of six thumbnails I created on location:
Six 3" x 4" thumbnail oil sketches on Canva-paper.
These quick studies are invaluable in helping me visualize the scene and make informed decisions about the composition. Once I’ve identified the most successful layout, I’m ready to proceed with confidence to the final painting, knowing that I’ve laid a solid foundation for the work.
Thumbnail sketches are a powerful tool for any artist working en plein air. They allow you to explore different possibilities without committing too much time or material, ensuring that the final piece is both thoughtfully composed and visually compelling.
From Thumbnail to Final Painting
Once I’ve completed my thumbnail sketches and identified the most compelling composition, the next step is to develop a final painting. This process is where all the preliminary work—choosing the right palette, premixing values, and exploring compositions—comes together to create a finished piece.
Using the chosen thumbnail as a guide, I begin the final painting with a clear vision in mind. The thumbnail acts as a roadmap, helping me stay focused on the composition and overall balance of the scene. Because I’ve already worked through potential challenges in the sketching phase, I can approach the painting with greater confidence and fluidity.
Here is a finished painting that began as simple thumbnails on location:
Final 8" x 8" painting using this color strategy. Sold: Private Collection
In the painting above, you can see how the initial exploration in the thumbnails translated into a refined and cohesive final piece. The careful planning and strategy allow the spontaneity and joy of painting outdoors to shine through in the finished artwork.
Developing a final painting from a thumbnail not only ensures a strong composition but also allows the artist to maintain the integrity and inspiration of the original scene. This method has become an integral part of my plein air process, helping me consistently create work that resonates both visually and emotionally.