En Plein Air Painting Competition
On July 18, I participated in my first en plein air painting competition! Although this experience had many challenges, it also helped me gain confidence as an artist. En plein air is a French phrase that means being outside in the open air. Instead of using a reference image in a studio, you’re outside and paint what’s directly in front of you. I competed alongside 27 fellow local artists of Manhattan, Ks. The rules were simple; each of us had 3 hours to paint Downtown Manhattan along Poyntz Ave.
The first challenge to overcome during this competition is faced before you even leave your house. It is the challenge of knowing what supplies to pack and what supplies to leave behind. Think of it like you’re packing for a hike, you don’t want to overpack and carry a bunch of unneeded weight. This is why I love to use watercolor paints when I paint in public. All of my paint fits into a metal travel tin that is small enough to fit in your pocket. One of the most important supplies to bring along is going to be your sketchbook! …Duh! I use a variety of paper depending on my mood, therefore it is hard for me to make any suggestions. Strathmore, Canson, and Artist’s Loft all make pretty decent sketchbooks for beginners. As long as the paper is thick, textured, and says watercolor, you should be good to go! For my art easel, I bought mine from Adventure Art in Eureka Springs, Arkansas! Their easel is lightweight and compacts down to fit in a backpack… did I mention they make the easels themselves too?! I’ll list the rest of my supplies below!
Here’s my supply checklist:
Anywhere Aesthetic’s Watercolor Travel Tins
Preferred Watercolor Sketchbook
Staedtler Waterproof Pigment Liner Sizes: 0.3 & 1.0
Brush towel: I usually just pack a couple of paper towels
Water cup for Paint Brushes
Scissors
Glue Stick
Water Bottle
Sunscreen!!!
The next challenge was finding a spot to paint for the competition… Don’t be like me and show up 5 minutes late guys. It helped that I knew I wanted to paint the Wareham Theater because it was my grandpa’s happy place when he was a kid growing up in Manhattan. The challenge was that I needed to find a spot with a good angle of the theater. Of course, I found it next to El Patron in the direct sunlight with zero shade. This is why sunscreen is listed above! Try not to burn to a crisp! When picking a spot to paint en plein air, be courteous and respectful of your surroundings. You don’t want to block sidewalks or business entrances. If you are a beginner and shy, try to go paint at a time that isn’t very busy or find an area without a lot of foot traffic.
I preferred an indirect angle of the Wareham Theater
Once you’re all set up, it’s time to start creating! There is no right or wrong way to begin. Some people skip sketching altogether and go right in with paint. Some people (like me) sketch every detail out before adding any paint. Your process will take time to evolve and perfect, so try not to stress too much in the beginning. However, not stressing is easier said than done. During the competition, I was very anxious. This was my first time painting in public and not in the comfort of my own home. People watched me paint and asked me questions about my art process. This is all totally ok and normal! Sadly my anxiety, my introvertness, and standing in the direct heat did not mix well for me. Navigating it all for the first time was a major challenge to overcome. I started comparing my paintings to other artists’ works and second-guessing my art style. After some deep breaths, I remembered why I love to paint. I paint because it makes me happy. I don’t know what clicked in my brain, but I started to embrace and have confidence in my silly doodle art style. I had to remind myself that it is ok to not have a hyper-realistic style as an artist. My goal is to instead capture the joy and positivity of everyday moments. I found myself adding smiley faces every time I felt anxious or stressed during this competition because it is impossible to not be happy when you are painting a smiley face!
“Be Happy You’re in Manhattan!”
The 3-hour time limit flew by! Before I knew it, my painting and 26 other artworks were being judged. It was so much fun to see all of the talented artists of Manhattan! There were three judges and each picked their top three favorite paintings. And guess what guys… your girl’s painting was one of the top nine picked! It was such a great and rewarding feeling, especially because I only used the watercolor paints that I make myself from plants and expired makeup!
Here are all the plants and expired makeup used for this painting!
As a young and inexperienced artist, it can be easy to let challenges get in the way of creating. It’s scary to show others your art, let alone paint right in front of them. With time and determination, these challenges become achievable. My best advice to come from this experience is to never let the fear of failure get in the way of creating!
Making fun memories to look back on when I’m an old lady
This painting is currently being displayed and available for purchase at the Underground Collective Art Space, 413 Poyntz Ave, in Downtown Manhattan from August through September! Bring your family and friends and check it out! :)
I also made stickers!! These are waterproof and weatherproof, making them perfect for car windows, water bottles, and laptops!