For the love of sketching
My plein air process in five simple steps
My dad gave me my first sketchbook. It had plain paper inside without lines or grids, a spiral binding, and a plain kraft cover. My dad, also an artist, bought these by the case and gifted them to me. I stared at those blank pages, intimidated by the possibilities of what I could put in them.
Sketching outdoors at the Oregon Coast requires fortitude and some really great goggles to keep the wind out of my eyes!
It wasn’t until I started art school in my mid-40’s that I developed a sketchbook habit. As a homework assignment for a drawing class, we had to sketch for 20 minutes every day. I really caught the sketchbook habit when I took a botanical illustration workshop. Suddenly, every hike or walk through my garden inspired new ideas for my sketchbook.
I made my own travel watercolor kit for just a few dollars. Want to make your own? Download my free plein air watercolor sketch kit supply list!
I take my watercolor sketchbook whenever I travel, whether that’s around town, on a hike or on vacation. Clockwise from top left: Lincoln City, Oregon; Fernhill Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon; Japanese Garden, Oregon; Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Mt. Hood, Oregon; Cape Mears, Oregon.
Top 5 tips for creating a plein air sketchbook habit you can stick with
ONE: Get supplies that work for you.
Everyone has a different take on what makes the perfect plein air watercolor sketch kit, myself included! (Get my list at the link below). But all that matters is that your kit works for YOU, and that you are comfortable using it. Which brings me to tip #2…
My homemade plein air watercolor sketch kit - learn how to make yours here.
TWO: Take your plein air sketch kit with you!
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you can only sketch if you have your kit with you! Personally, I always take mine with me on hikes, road trips and vacations. I don’t carry mine on my daily errands, but that could work for you if you find yourself waiting a lot. Bored? No need to check your phone, pull out your sketch kit instead!
Remember to bring your sketchbook with you! You never know when the inspiration to paint will come to you.
THREE: Set a timer.
It can be super intimidating to pull out your sketchbook, get all set up, then draw a blank (pun intended) when you put your pencil to paper. One good trick I use is to set a timer. If I only have a little time, I’ll set my timer for 15 or 20 minutes. This is enough time to create a rough sketch of a plant, tree, or landscape. Ideally, I like to set my timer for one hour. I take about 20 minutes to do my sketch, 10 minutes to ink it, then use the rest of the time to paint my illustration.
FOUR: Decide whether you like to sketch solo or with a friend.
Personally, I like to spend my sketching time solo. I find that I can really get into the moment of noticing the details of what I am sketching this way. If I am having a conversation with a friend, that tends to distract me away from the present moment.
That said, it can be super fun to sketch with a friend! My friend and I sat on a rooftop deck one rainy day and sketched a tall building in the Portland skyline together. It was cold and wet, but we had fun and treated ourselves to hot chocolate afterward.
I make most of my sketches while my partner, Tony, is watching birds. We are very slow hikers! Photo by Tony DeFalco, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon.
FIVE: Have fun, loosen up, and suspend judgement.
Last but not least, remember that your sketchbook is for YOU. It’s meant to be fun, so give yourself permission to just play around in the sandbox that is your sketchbook. It doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, some of my favorite plein air sketches are from days when I got sand in my paints, rain on my sketchbook or ran out of water in my paint brush (iced green tea to the rescue!)
Free supply list!
To make this super easy for you to get started, I created a supply list for you. Click here to download your free copy!
Note: The Portland Japanese Garden does not allow pigment in the garden, including watercolor paints. The sketch I created above was made before I knew this rule, when a friendly docent informed me. It remains a lovely place to sketch with your pencils and pens! See more at https://japanesegarden.org/.
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