Why Plein Air?

Ellie Boyd painting "en plein air" on Saint Simons Island GA
Ellie Boyd painting "en plein air" on Saint Simons Island, GA.


What is “Plein Air” ?

When an artist goes outside with materials and creates artwork in two hours, before the light changes completely, that is considered “plein air” art.  

So you might consider petroglyphs on rocks some of the original “plein air” artwork.  When the weather was bad, those ancient artists came inside the cave, and continued to create and communicate.  We don’t know what those cave paintings really “meant”, but we still enjoy the raw beauty and power of the symbols and animals they left for us millennia ago.   The French pretty much perfected it, called it "plein air" and brought it to the world as Impressionism, capturing the light and drama of the landscape with bold, broken strokes of color and movement.  They were sick and tired of dark, traditionally painted, acceptable subjects set up in the ateliers or composed “history” paintings, or religious themed paintings.  Boy did they ever break free in a memorable way?

Today, artists enjoy getting out to paint, to study nature and the natural settings that go on to inspire them again, back in the studio.  Many of the larger paintings displayed in my solo show at the Southbury Public Library, like “Bocce Ballers” started out as small plein air studies, created in a matter of hours racing against the changing sunlight, and were later used to bring back the memory of things I observed and wanted to capture, then create in a larger format.  As part of my process, I try to take a photo of the scene before I start painting, as an aid for later.  The photo is only a poor reference to the photos in my mind, and the sketches done as compositional aids before I pick up the brush.  The hard part is deciding what to paint, then how to make it come alive on a flat, two dimensional canvas. I use my newly acquired outside painting “vocabulary” in my portrait work as well. 

"Shaylee" 16" x 20" Oil by Ellie Boyd
"Shaylee" 16" x 20" Oil by Ellie Boyd


Sometimes I've had a lot of company painting with other Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) on the scene or at plein air events in other states, sometimes it was a solo activity. I really have never had a bad day painting or drawing outside, and treasure these memories.  Since 2012, POP has visited about 20 locations in and around Southbury, and many of those painters said they had no idea the locations existed, like Audubon Bent of the River or Topsmeade State Forest.  Some “paintouts” have been at private properties that abound here, Maine, and in NY, and I am very grateful to the homeowners who have shared their beautiful places.  They almost always end up with a painting as a memento. 

"Bocce Ballers" 8" x 10" Oil by Ellie Boyd
"Bocce Ballers" 8" x 10" Plein Air Oil NFS Private Collection



When I look at the plein air version of “Bocce Ballers”, I can still hear the waters of Lake Sebago slapping gently against the dock, the guys playing a friendly game, swapping turns, with hoots and jeers from the peanut gallery, the sound of the loons and the gulls calling, the sound of boats and fishermen plying the waters.  I can still feel the warm sun on my skin as my brush moves from palette to canvas, and the smell of pines surrounding the yard.  It was all about having fun, and relaxing in the moment.  Creating a second, larger studio painting is another whole challenge, in terms of painting larger shapes, and striving to retain the freshness of the original outdoor painting.  

Which version speaks to you? 

"Bocce Ballers" 20" x 24" Oil by Ellie Boyd
"Bocce Ballers" 20" x 24" Oil (Studio) by Ellie Boyd


Catch my solo exhibit benefitting the Southbury Public Library. This wonderful venue hosts hands on activities for children and adults, lectures, and collections for all ages, and is an especially valuable resource for children. All of my artwork in the 35+ piece exhibit is original, most is for sale and almost all qualifies for free domestic shipping at the end of the show. Purchase art or call to arrange a commission -- the library will receive 15% of every sale.  You can preview the paintings on my website


Work may be reserved by calling 203-429-4356 or emailing ellie@ellieboydstudio.com. 

Many thanks to collectors who have loaned paintings for the show, and to those who have sat for portraits, or graciously hosted POP painters over the years.

Painting on site in North Bennington, VT.
Ellie Boyd painting on site in North Bennington, VT.


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