Discovering An Extraordinary Life

By Stefan Baumann

Last year I started “Painting Boot Camp.” It was a three-day intensive workshop where I led a group of passionate students into the Sierra wilderness for extreme individualized training in the fundamentals of painting outdoors. The experience was life changing. By popular demand we are going back this June.

Painting on location allows me to be loose and spontaneous. The artwork is full of serendipitous brushstrokes and completely inspired, often I don’t have control over the outcome. I’ve always let the paint do the work. Excellent paintings created outdoors can never be duplicated. You can’t achieve perfection so give up, and have a good time instead.

When I paint outdoors I go for the big picture. My latest in the Secrets Vistas of Yosemite Series is Heir Apparent. The buck stands like a king evaluating his domain. The panorama around him is Yosemite Valley with Half Dome looming in the background. I hiked miles to get to this scene.

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Outdoorpainting.com asked our readers…
“What's the single greatest challenge you face in painting outdoors?”

Many of our reader responses to the Newsletter question were about the challenges brought about by weather. When I’ve planned and paid for a painting trip, I’m going to paint----except in the most extreme conditions. Treat painting excursions like camping in the wilderness; prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Wind, snow, heat, cold and rain can be challenging. I recommend carrying a small paint box with a shoulder strap. Sometimes called “thumb boxes”, they allow you to work from your lap or can be hand held. With these small boxes, you can hunker down under a tree, a large rock or even sit in your car to paint. Among others, Open Box M and Artwork Essentials offer this type of small box. Check their websites on our RESOURCES PAGE for more information.

Armand Cabrera & Charles Muench

During cold weather, use hand warmers that are sold for fishermen and hunters. There are at least two different kinds of warmers: 1) chemical warmers that come in small disposable pouches. They activate when you shake them…and 2) permanent warmers. They burn a fuel stick or little piece of charcoal in a metal container. You can find these at Ace Hardware Stores.

Wind: Wind is the one element that can make it impossible to paint outside when it is really blowing hard. The above mentioned thumb boxes are the best solution for wind.

Rain: Obviously, don’t use water-based paints. If there is the chance of thunder storms---pack it in. If it’s not raining too hard and you still have some good lighting, stand under a tree, rock ledge, an awning or on a porch.

Remember, you don’t always have to paint outside. Sometimes it’s nice to hire a model or set up a still life and paint indoors during inclement weather. The weather will rarely be perfect, so commit to your painting---either outdoors or in studio---and paint!

Armand Cabrera