The outdoor environment can be a tough place to work, especially in the remote desert country of southern Utah. Heat exhaustion, insects and dehydration are always moments away from ruining your day.
The Shirt:When I paint outdoors I always have my painting outfit on which includes by trusty Columbia PFG "Blood and Guts" shirt. I originally got this shirt for fly-fishing but it has since become my main uniform for painting outdoors. Several reasons for this; the shirt has UV protection built into the fabric, it's lightweight material is comfortable, it has a large cooling vent on the back shoulder area, it keeps mosquitoes at bay and....most important; the neutral gray color is perfect for painting in the sun because it doesn't reflect light onto your canvas and minimizes any color distortion.
The Hat: Get yourself a wide brimmed hat. This is essential to keep your eyes shaded while you paint. Find a hat like this one. It's made by Outback Trader and it is truly the perfect plein air hat. The color (just like the shirt) wont reflect an odd color on to the canvas or into your eyes. The material is tough and holds up well to the elements, the mesh upper portion is breathable and is very comfortable even in the desert heat, plus it comes with a chin strap for those windy afternoons. Above all.....you look real rustic, just the way a plein air painter should.
The Friend: Painting outside is usually a lonely affair. While most people have a 9-5 job that keeps them surrounded with co-workers, customers and bosses; the artist is often working alone in the field. Try to find a few people you can call on to go outside with you, maybe if one is busy the others can go. I have 3-4 people locally that join me once a week or so for an afternoon outing. After we paint, there's is usually a snack and a quick critique of each others work. It's safer sometimes to be close to people in case the heat gets to you and the general sharing of our lives is priceless.
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| Phil Wagner and my easel in Arches NP |
