What are the best books on plein air? - WetCanvas: Online Living for Artists

This topic has 22 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 3 months ago by edmund ronald.

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February 10, 2017 at 7:05 pm #994837
charley man
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I’m just wondering what the best books on plein air are out there? Do you any of the people here have any favorites you might recommend? Right now I’m reading Edgar Payne’s “Composition of Outdoor Painting” and I’m finding it’s pretty good.

C&C always welcome.
February 10, 2017 at 9:21 pm #1264786
~JMW~
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I like to explore the various plein air videos on you tube, to see the tips , ideas , techniques/styles ..

~Joy~
February 11, 2017 at 1:41 am #1264798
Justin Mee
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I like Kevin D. Macpherson’s Fill Your Oil Paintings With Light & Color and Landscape Painting Inside and Out: Capture the Vitality of Outdoor Painting in Your Studio With Oils.

When in doubt have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand.
— Raymond Chandler
February 11, 2017 at 2:47 am #1264783
Yorky Administrator Ormskirk
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Depends in the medium, but I agree Youtube is an invaluable source. There’s no substitute for getting out there and doing it.

Doug

We must leave our mark on this world
February 11, 2017 at 2:03 pm #1264794
Gary Mc (Trikist)
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Payne’s book is my favorite classic and I like the Kevin Macpherson books that Justin mentioned.

My favorite blog for plein air is James Gurney with plenty of quick examples of plein air or from life paintings. I have his DVD’s on watercolor, gouache and casein “in the wild”. Gurney’s book, “Color and Light” is my favorite on the subject and he addresses possible palettes for plein air painting.

http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/search/label/Plein%20Air%20Painting

Gary

"Painting is a verb"
February 11, 2017 at 2:34 pm #1264784
Profi9le
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The John Carlson book is a real treasure trove and worth re-reading: https://www.amazon.com/Carlsons-Guide-Landscape-Painting-Instruction-ebook/dp/B00DGBMGCA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486841683&sr=1-1&keywords=carlson%2C+painting

Michael Chesley Johnson AIS MPAC PSA
www.MChesleyJohnson.com
February 12, 2017 at 7:38 pm #1264792
IMaybe
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Plein air painting is a wonderful thing to do!

Best books are those that speak to you – -yes, they all have the same info (really) but some can really put it in ways that speak to you. You learn things at the time you are ready to learn it, meaning , you can read about it over and over – -then one day, you are out painting–and golly, it comes to you -you remember something you read many times and there it is to use that day.

I love these books, they read better that a favorite mystery novel to me—some I read over and over with the same interest as the first time!

John Carlson’s ( of course) and Edgar Paynes – – -Also, “The painterly Approach” by Bob Rohm. Ray Balkwell has also inspired me, Clyde Aspevig, and so many more. James Gurney is wonderful, Bill Cone is great for getting the light in a scene – -Libby
Tolley has a great book to learn from and Kevin Mcphearson is one if the best. You are on a wonderful journey – — and you must get out there and paint!

www.artskipsabeat.blogspot.com
February 14, 2017 at 2:45 pm #1264787
charley man
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Thanks guys, I think I’m going do some research on the books you’ve mentioned.

C&C always welcome.
February 14, 2017 at 3:00 pm #1264788
charley man
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I like the Blog, I wonder if the monkey on his back is named Art.

C&C always welcome.
February 20, 2017 at 8:44 pm #1264793
Kmart
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The book Oil Painting, Develop Your Natural Ability by Charles Sovek is a workbook full of simple exercises that take a few hours to complete.

The Art Spirit by Robert Henri is my favorite. I like how he writes about getting the simple masses of a painting correct and refined.

http://kyle-martin.blogspot.com/
March 8, 2017 at 2:17 pm #1264796
Naomi Grindlay
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I find youtube a great source also. I sometimes post the odd video when I remember to bring my camera.
March 9, 2017 at 4:39 pm #1264791
wmbjoe
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I am an absolute neophyte, but have found that Bob Rohm’s Painterly Approach has a great deal of Plein Air info in it.
And great paintings
March 22, 2017 at 1:04 am #1264790
3dsMax61
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Without exception, these two should be in your library:

Composition Of Outdoor Painting, by Edgar Payne.
Carlson’s Guide To Landscape Painting, by John Carlson.

McPherson’s book is also quite valuable. With regard to videos, I have several by master plein air painter Scott Christensen that I can loan you, since you live close by.

-hhh

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I'm tired of being a wanna-be artist. I wanna be AN ARTIST!

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March 23, 2017 at 5:56 pm #1264799
Jonathan Patrick Bradley
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The John Carlson book is a real treasure trove and worth re-reading: [URL=https://www.amazon.com/Carlsons-Guide-Landscape-Painting-Instruction-ebook/dp/B00DGBMGCA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486841683&sr=1-1&keywords=carlson%2C+painting]https://www.amazon.com/Carlsons-Guide-Landscape-Painting-Instruction-ebook/dp/B00DGBMGCA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1486841683&sr=1-1&keywords=carlson%2C+painting[/URL]

Seconded.

Carlson’s the man.

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www.jonbradley.art
March 30, 2017 at 3:02 pm #1264789
skipstah
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I would say some of the best books on PA are by plein air specialist David Curtis (his vids even better). “light in the landscape”, “capturing the moment” are two of the titles. Also great books out there by Kevin MacPherson, R Schmid, E Payne, E Gruppe, and of course Carlsons guide to Landscape Painting is a must have.

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