Plein Air Painting and Hiking
Combining plein air painting with hiking can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. On this day we headed to Hacklebarney State Park. This is a fantastic spot to get some quick hiking in. There is a lush forest and rocky terrain. The Black River also has several waterfalls. The park is not difficult to access and it’s easy to find something to inspire you. Though this was a much more mild hike compared to my usual jaunts it still came with logistical considerations.
Carrying Equipment and Terrain
Hiking trails can have uneven terrain, steep inclines, or obstacles like rocks and roots, which can make finding a suitable painting spot and setting up your equipment more challenging. Plein air painting also requires carrying painting supplies such as easels, paints, brushes, paper, and possibly a chair or tripod. Adding these items to your hiking gear can make your backpack heavier and bulkier. Due to this, you have to be thoughtful about your goals for any given outing. On this particular day, I wanted to keep things light. I knew I would get one quick painting in at best and decided to go with my very lightweight watercolor setup along with a simple Thermarest mat to sit on. On a longer outing, I would consider a backpacking chair or tripod.
Weather
Weather conditions can change quickly outdoors, impacting your painting process. In this situation, it was chilly and rain was threatening. By the end of my speedy painting, my fingers were definitely cold! My paint was also taking a longer time to dry in the cooler temperatures so I had to carry my picture out in my hands instead of packing it up. The drying time also limited how many layers of color I could glaze. It was honestly a novel experience for me because I’m usually struggling with my watercolor washes drying too quickly in warmer temperatures and straining my eyes against the sun glare on my paper! Experiencing the cooler temperatures was a pleasant change.
Time Constraints
Hiking and finding a painting spot may take longer than anticipated, especially if you’re exploring unfamiliar trails. This can limit the time you have for painting before needing to hike back. In this case, I knew the intention was to stop for a brief snack while my husband and I took in the view. Enter the speed painting! I knew my goal was to capture the vibe of the scene and I had to decide to ignore all the details.
Just Get Out There!
Despite these difficulties, plein air painting while hiking offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and capture its beauty in a way that studio painting cannot replicate. With proper preparation and a willingness to adapt, you can overcome these challenges. It’s important to remember that whether your painting turns out the way you hoped isn’t important. The important part is just getting out there! Plus, you can always use your original painting as a reference to create a refined version later on.
This is also a great time to take reference photos for use later on in the studio!
I’ll leave you with a quote that I ripped out of a book and stuck to my refrigerator some years ago. It sums up the call that keeps me coming back to the wilderness.
“People who have never ventured into the back beyond might well wonder why anyone would subject himself to such suffering. As we trudged forward on exhausted legs, the answer is everywhere I direct my gaze. The Brooks Range is such a seductive place to visit, moreover, not in spite of the incumbent hardships, but precisely because of them. The fact that admission to this Eden requires a toll paid in sweat, pain, and fear makes its beauty all the more intoxicating.” – Jon Krakauer
