I have come to love both studio and plein-air painting and I tend to let my feelings and mood guide me to which way I want to paint for each particular day. I have listed below my comparison of indoor vs outdoor painting.
1. The Environment: Controlled vs. Natural
Studio Indoor Painting: When I am in the studio
environment it is a controlled space where I have full control over lighting, temperature, and atmosphere.
Outdoor Plein-Air Painting: Plein-air painting, lets me see the natural environment exactly the way it is. This however requires me to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of weather, light, and surroundings. Seeing the lighting and weather change however is a good way to recognize all that is possible in the changing views of your subject
matter.
2. Artistic Process: Precision vs. Impression
Studio Indoor Painting: In the studio, I have the luxury of time and precision knowing that the lighting and conditions of the image I am painting from won't change. I can work at any speed I want in the comforts of my studio to refine the details to the exact level I want.
Outdoor Plein-Air
Painting: Plein-air painting often results in more of a sketchy style. The need to capture a scene quickly before the light changes forces me to focus on the large light and dark patterns of the subject rather than the finer details. This makes me work in a more impressionistic style, but it is always so different to compare an image in a photo to that same view in real life.
3. Inspiration: Internal vs. External Stimuli
Studio Indoor Painting: In the studio, the inspiration can come from a variety of sources such as photographs, sketches, or imagination. Being in the studio it allows me to explore any subject matter I can find in photographs or make up from my imagination.
I can make up compositions from photos and sketches that I took from outside and arrange the composition to fit my composition.
Outdoor Plein-Air Painting: Being outside in
nature makes for a great source of inspiration because of you seeing everything in real life. When I am outside I am surrounded by the sights, sounds, and scents of the outdoors, which influence the mood and tone of the work. The direct connection between the real life subject and the artwork results in paintings that capture the atmosphere and spirit of a particular place and time.
4. Materials and Techniques: Flexibility vs.
Portability
Studio Indoor Painting: In the studio, I have access to a wide range of materials and tools. I can work large or small and work with equipment that may not be practical to transport outdoors. The studio allows for controlled conditions. I also like the ability to work on multiple pieces simultaneously or being able to work on a piece at any time I please and not having to finish in one sitting.
Outdoor Plein-Air Painting: Plein-air painting requires portability and efficiency. I have to choose materials that are easy to transport and set up in an outdoor setting. I normally paint smaller paintings because of the time restraint. I have gone through a bunch of different portable easel setups because it is important that the setup allows you to paint with ease as if you were painting in the studio.
5. Social
Interaction: Solitude vs. Community
Studio Indoor Painting: The studio is my place of solitude, where I can work in isolation. This makes it ideal to create without interruption, allowing for deep concentration when creating your artwork.
Outdoor Plein-Air Painting: Plein-air painting is definitely more social. When I work outdoors I often attract the curiosity of people passing by, which leads to
spontaneous interactions and conversations. Additionally, plein-air painting in groups is common, where artists gather to paint together in a shared environment. This sense of community can be motivating and provide opportunities for learning and exchange of ideas. The biggest benefit would be the sales of your work when painting outdoors and making customers out of those people passing by.
6. Final Artwork: Finished Piece vs.
Study
Studio Indoor Painting: The controlled conditions of my studio allows me to create large finished pieces that are often more refined and detailed. The ability to revisit and revise the work ensures that the final piece is to my exact liking. Studio paintings are frequently larger in scale and more complex in composition.
Outdoor Plein-Air Painting: Plein-air paintings are often seen as studies
or sketches, capturing the essence of a scene rather than its intricate details. While some of my plein-air works stand alone as complete pieces, some serve as references for larger, more detailed studio works. The freshness and immediacy of plein-air paintings give them a unique charm and authenticity that is difficult to replicate in the studio.
Both studio indoor painting and outdoor plein-air painting offer unique advantages and challenges, shaping
your creative process in different ways. The studio provides a controlled environment for precision, comfort, and detailed work, while plein-air painting immerses you into nature, fostering spontaneity, immediacy, and a direct connection to the landscape. Ultimately, you can find value in both approaches, using the strengths of each to inform and enhance your artistic practice. Whether working indoors or outdoors, I feel it is important that you just keep on painting and practicing... both ways
will definitely make you a better artist!
