When it comes to painting out of doors, I recommend the model of A. Y. Jackson, who was called "Pere Raquette," Father Snowshoes, when he hiked around the countryside of Quebec. I can't take the outdoors in winter to paint any more, as I find my old bones get too cold. But in summer, I have used the kind of stool he tied to his backpack. There is no better way to get that immediacy of the subject, to catch the mood of the countryside, especially subbing watercolor for Jackson's oils.

Hi! I've responded by e-mail but figured I should probably cover my bases. I'm glad you liked my cat! I'm just a little confused with why the cat artwork was selected over the one of the forest called "Sleeping Beauty." It seems to me to be more representative of the theme than the cat. ????? Thanks, Ann

I loved the clip and for a first, I feel it was remarkable ... I loved watching the process ... it was very informative ... I've had very little experience watching artists work ... I, too have a tilley so I noticed yours ... about it, I have a question ... it didn't appear to be windy, so I wonder why you use the straps under your chin ... I always keep mine tucked inside unless it's windy finding it more comfy that way ...

Your letters provide inspiration to others. Thanks for being willing to share. I particularly enjoyed your session filmed painting at the back of your car with your dog at your side. I've tried a large number of "kits" for containing supplies for use during plein air excursions. Finding some like the "French Easels" too cumbersome and heavy, and others awkward, I've finally gravitated to a unit made by EasyL. http://artworkessentials.com/ Like you, I have adapted the unit to my own needs. My painting is primarily in oils and this kit is deep enough to accomodate large tubes and enough material for a plein air session without any additional bags or boxes. I too paint with it at the back of my car or place it on a camera tripod.

Was the acrylic glaze put on top of an acrylic painting, or over an oil painting? Then you painted again over the glaze. Was this, then, done totally in acrylics? I didn't think you could mix oils and acrylics like that. Also, nice job with the old car, the woods, and the young helper. You and Michelle seem to have found the timeless connection to the emotive aspects of art! I was totally captivated by the video.

I think what I love most about your painting is that it is trackless forest, without the usual landscape-with-human-touch in it. No boats, houses, paths. Just unpruned wild trees and the real mess under them. Makes me remember all the wonderful times I've spent in forests like that. I like the red scumbling, too - didn't notice that - will have to re-view the video. Nice to see on the lumps and squishes, now that I can see the enlarged version. Nice. You provide such a rich narrative, week to week. Thanks. aloha - Angela

Ah, I thought it was a Bentley. Beautiful car. Beautiful video. Beautiful painting. I enjoyed feeling the freshness of it all. Your letter is always read first in the very early morning. What a great way to start a day!

Thanks for the completed ptg!! I am the last guy in N.A. with dial-up Internet connection. So, I watched your video for nearly an hour and by that time you had only painted in 8 trunks. It took you 20 mins to get out of your car!! I often think my lifestyle is a lot like Kramers!! This may sound derogatory, but my friend and I got a big laff out of my viewing experiences. Beautiful painting!!

I'm an Interior Girl. I went outside to sketch and had to pull one leaf off the tree and draw that; the rest was too immense, overwhelming. And another time I went outside with a class and sat in a mud puddle. Never Mind!

I very much like "Forest Spirit." It is great to arrive at that time of year when plein air painting becomes possible. In Lunenburg, Nova Scotia the winters are not so much cold as damp and windy. This kind of weather precludes working out-of-doors. My late mentor, Edmund Pulford, used to manage this by carrying a flask of gin for mixing his watercolours in the dead of winter. He also explained that it could also be used to deflect the effects of cold. We have had four fine days so far. Our local tour boat sailing ship is still under plastic wrap and Bluenose II is just finishing her sea trials so you can see that this it not an easy place in terms of overall climate. Fortunately I do have a studio featuring a Scottish dormer and this provides three windows overlooking Lunenburg Harbour. The elevation is about 80 feet so the studio looks down on the movement of shipping all through the seasons. Almost like being out of doors, but the point of view is unfortunately somewhat static. I always opt for paint-on-site in the brief summer season. Have been taught to paint very quickly indoors and out but the change is good for the social contact that results. I like the "forest floor" approach to painting and have done a lot of that, but here in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, there is a lot to be said for painting publicly at a working waterfront.

Happy belated Birthday Robert!! What a great way to spend the day and to have it recorded as well is too awesome! As a plein-air painter, the world is my studio. And all of you are in it. Thanks

Dear Robert, I am new to your site, but found Forest Spirit to be most interesting and stimulating!! To watch another slip into the mode of a painter, solving and expressing, in such a simple way, was delightful. I am always so uncomfortable outside - dragging along "stuff" and overworking the painting. You gave me such permission to simplify my approach. I often get in my own way by trying to over prepare to express myself, both visually and verbally. Your painting was like watching a dance. I am inspired and thankful for your gift.

It was wonderful to be able to look over your shoulder and follow your approach to painting the scene in front of you. As artists, we rarely get to watch someone else, and I find it incredibly educating. Discussions of palettes of color to use, or appropriate brushes, are all well and good, but to really get at the creative and technical heart of an individual artist, I think you have to watch the movement of his or her hands, the decisions being played out subconsciously- of which elements to paint first, how to define edges as the work progresses, choices of color and contrast as they occur, and all in real time. Thank you for sharing, and to Michelle for so beautifully capturing it and putting together the video presentation. I have a daughter heading off to college in the fall as a fine art and communication design major, so perhaps in a year or two I'll have my own in-house videographer, too!

I enjoyed your plein air piece more than I can tell you. Being relatively new, I have yet to try. I will use gazebo first rather than be the insects dinner. I have played the piece many times and sent it on to a few friends. Many thanks.

I started a community plein aire painters group, and we meet on weekend mornings and/or afternoons for an hour or more, depending on the skies above us. Yesterday we sketched and made color notes at Hidden Pond, which is behind my house. We used our hands to make a little square viewer to compose the scenes. We started with our pencil drawings and very much liked our move into our color sketches of the pond with the pine on the right side, water reflecting sky and scenery. I do limit the color palette to as few as possible, to help us get to work quickly. The limited color palette is for economy (both $$ and time), ease, and, as we found out in getting away from the sudden thunderstorm, speed in packing up and moving to safety.

I learn something with every letter I read from you Robert and your artists in clickbacks. I have bookmarked the paint M. Graham this week that I can get through Dick Blick at 40% off. Your website is a classroom with many ideas from around the world. Thank you all who contribute your thoughts and experiences with pictures!

It's my first visit to this part of the site and I very much enjoyed it. On my way home from town today we saw three small fawns in the middle of a field and another place one walking down the road. And then a bobcat jumping over a fence. Spring is wonderful here, so green and lush. We do have forest on the back of our property so I can relate to all the comments. I have been working on a series that always includes a pair of ladies sandals (too high a heel for my old age) and have been getting some wonderful blooms. Have been painting in the manner of Shirley Trevena. If you haven't gotten her book Vibrant Watercolors, you should.

I loved the spontaneity of the trees and the atmosphere of the woods. How do I view the video?

Though I am not currently a plein aire painter, the place that fuels me is hikes in the Colorado mountains. For whatever reason, I am compelled by images of thick forests backlit from the low sun. I've tried again and again to recreate the feeling on panel or paper, but still seem to come up short. I continue in my quest! Even though it was your birthday, you give us all a gift twice a week. Thank you for all you do! Tracy www.tracywall.com

Simply: the best!!

I have a garden of almost 200 rose bushes. I often go out in the early morning dew, or evening dusk to paint. So lovely, peaceful and serene. Fortunate for me I have it daily available. I have offered this same exposure to many artist friends. However, they seem reluctant to come. I often wonder why? Would you like to come and paint in my garden? Some of my best birthday presents have come outside. Happy, Happy a bit late. So glad you enjoy your days to the fullest. I love the words of wisdom that you send each week. WONDERFUL.
in rose petals and paint brushes, Lillian rosefun01@sprynet.com

I have done some plein aire painting and it is a challenge. Doing it makes you rapidly choose the picture you want from what's in front of you. The constraints can be any nature of weather and light. I have been out to a large lake to the south of us and spent a couple of hours painting a lake scene. Before I had finished the weather turned horrible and seeing I was using acrylics, I had to retire to my car and out of the rain. It was fun and I had little to do to finish it, but that is what plein aire is all about.

I enjoy all the letters. We were away and when we came home all 100 or more e-mails mostly got deleted. I rescued the Forest Spirit letter but could not call up the video. Is it possible to be able to send it to me @ moon-snail@shaw.ca. I am attempting in my old age to finally try to paint outdoors. Cheers Bev

Robert, Your letter entitled "Forest Spirit" was delightful. I also enjoy plein air painting immensely. You might like to see my most recent post, "Mystery Painting Mission," on my blog at http://www.tommythompsonart.blogspot.com We are advertising your interesting newsletter in our next newsletter, which will be emailed this week to our collectors and friends. Best Regards, Tommy Thompson Florence, AL 35633 Email: tmt11@comcast.net http://www.tommythompsonart.com http://tommythompsonart.blogspot.com Traditional Landscapes and Portraits in Oil

Have you tried the Genesis Paints?.....They never dry (only if you use a heating element) and the brushes can be used and put aside for a year (!) and still be useable. I saw an artist demo these paints recently.....they are awsome.

Your wonderful small video became available (the high speed Internet was down awhile) just before I am to leave for 3 days of painting with a group called Vistas and Vineyards. This is a Corvallis, Oregon based group with members all over the Willamette Valley. We meet every Wednesday in the spring, summer and early fall in various locations and have a juried show in October. We are going to a retreat center near the Columbia River and we are to paint for 3 days and don't have to cook, worry about food or anything else for that whole time. Heaven! I love the concepts you proposed about painting en plein air, and sometimes my efforts please me, but I don't think it hurts to rework from the original effort back in the studio. I find that the charge I get from the company and experience gives me a real boost for "getting ready" for a show. Keep up the good work.

I live on the southern coast of Alabama USA. I thoroughly enjoy your letters and the feedback from all over. I teach and always send your webpage to my students. I have learned many things from just reading here. Thanks

What do you think of the paintings and pastels of Wolf Kahn? He's one of my favorites and has a show on right now in NYC at 20 West 57th Street, the Ameringer (and Kow or something). I studied a little with him in pastel workshops at National Academy of Design in the '80s. The new pastels are large and mind blowingly beautiful.