![]() Sending out a message of thanks and gratitude as we celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22nd. From local areas to exotic destinations, it's always beneficial to learn about and appreciate different environments. I hope you enjoy these two photos from the Giardino delle Rose in Florence, Italy. They remind me of how beautiful nature is. "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" - Lao Tzu.
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I've always been interested in art history and the methods of past artists. As I became a teacher, I was able to learn and share more about this history. Art history is also a great way to study general history because artists have always had their finger on the pulse of society and important events. The history of painting en plein air (outdoors) is fascinating for many reasons. It ties in to the industrial revolution and the adventurous spirit that many artists share with inventors and explorers. As artists, it's important to be able to study and learn from this rich history. I will be including a lot of history into the creation of Eric En Plein Air since American Public Television supports these educational goals. I was able to explore more of this through an online lecture that I gave a few years ago for the Atelier at Flowerfield. Here is a link for those of you who are interested in the history and also the practice of working en plein air! Have you ever been out somewhere and stopped to admire the beauty of a scene, the sky, the reflections of nature or something that makes you smile? As an artist, I often wonder what it is about that view that draws me in and makes me want to paint. And as artists, we can take a slice of nature and capture it on canvas. Isn't that amazing? Different views will appeal to different artists, but I am writing this to share some tips for anyone who wants to find locations to paint en plein air. The first thing to keep in mind is that these spots are everywhere. I've painted all over the US and Europe, but I still find inspiration in my own backyard. I particularly enjoy gardens, but I've found beauty in buildings, cities, bridges, old fences, rocks, docks, rivers, beaches and tons of other places too. When I go out, I try to avoid "hunting" for spots. By this, I mean not putting too much pressure on finding a location. Instead, I've found it useful to go about your day with your eyes open. I like to take walks around my neighborhood and I always see something new and different. I've had countless times when I stop and say, "I wish I had my paint box!". One of my favorite artists who seems to always have been ready to paint was Joaquín Sorolla (Spanish, 1863 - 1923). Check out his small oil sketches! As you're going about your day, bring a little pocket sketchbook and a pencil or pen. Ballpoint pens are great for sketching. If you're sitting at a restaurant waiting, or a bus stop, sketch what's around you. I've found that the world is continually more beautiful than I thought and I want to soak it all in even if I'm on a bus, train or even somewhere not as interesting. There will also be times when you visit a location with the intention to paint. It's great to take these trips on your own or as a group . Take all of your supplies and stop as soon as a scene catches your attention. The danger is trying to find the "perfect" spot. Often attributed to the French writer, Voltaire, he said "Perfect is the enemy of the good." To avoid this, I give myself 15 minutes; if I haven't found a spot in 15 minutes then I stop (like musical chairs) and set up. And don't worry because you'll find that the beauty of a location comes out while you paint.
And what about more crowded areas? Parks, trails, cities, etc.? Well, I used to feel self conscious about being in public areas with my easel and all. I wondered what people thought about me. But you know what I found? People LOVE seeing art! Many people will stop and admire or will say something nice. Guaranteed, you will brighten someone's day by painting en plein air. If you are able to travel then you will notice the differences between countries. The colors of one region versus another. And isn't it interesting how different environments shape the people who live there? I found this especially true when I visited Bermuda last year; the color of the water and pinks and oranges of the buildings were dazzling and reflected in the character of the locals. If you're at home, notice the seasonal changes of your area. You can return to a location month after month and find a whole change of scenery. Come back to a spot and paint it during each season. The cold tones of winter versus the hues of summer. Different times of day can provide the day variety from sunrise to sunset. If you ever feel stuck, take a day trip to a museum to see what other artists have painted. Just walk around and enjoy the art and you'll be surprised by the variety of subject matter--You can truly find beauty anywhere! And lastly, remember that painting is about enjoying the process and experience. To me, my paintings are like visual journals; I look at my art and I can remember exactly where I was and how I felt. I encourage you to go out and give it a try--the world is yours to paint! Guest Appearance on J Schwanke's Life in Bloom | Season 7 (Episode #702) | "Painting and Flowers"4/7/2025 Here is a direct link to episode #702 of J Schwanke's Life in Bloom which has my guest appearance! It's great to relive this experience as I watch along also. HUGE thanks again to J, his family and team!
https://www.pbs.org/video/tba-s0asbX/ I'm so excited because tomorrow, April 8th, you will be able to watch my guest appearance on J Schwanke's Life in Bloom!
The first episode of season 7 is already here and tomorrow (4/8), you will be able to watch my episode (#702) through this same link: https://www.pbs.org/show/j-schwankes-life-in-bloom/ - Just scroll down and click the season drop down menu to choose season 7! I've been a big fan of J's show for many years and to be a guest on a special "Painting and Flowers" episode is really wonderful. J and his team flew me out to Grand Rapids, MI back in August of 2024. I had just returned from Italy and was full of excitement. We filmed and talked about my 2023 summer in Giverny followed by a painting session where I instructed J in how to use watercolors to paint a gorgeous bouquet. It was one of the most exciting days of my life and I loved every minute of it. Thank you again to J, his family and team for allowing me to share my story and my art! I can't wait to share this special episode with my family and friends. As artists, there are so many fun tools to use and test out. Paint, brushes and canvas are the starting point, but what are the other essential tools that we can use to paint en plein air? In this post, I want to share some essential tools that you can use when you step outdoors to paint. Please keep in mind that there are many different options out there and you can always pick and choose what you feel is necessary. Easel![]() Whether you're painting with acrylics, oils or watercolor, it's good to have a comfortable and easy to use easel. There are a lot of options out there and recently, lighter options similar to camera tripods have become popular. These easels are sometimes called "field easels" or "travel easels". I personally like the feeling of using a traditional wooden, Jullian travel easel, but I also use a folding tripod style easel for watercolor. It's super light and easy to set up so it's a great option. You can find great options at various art stores or by searching online for plein air, travel easels. Read about my vintage Jullian easel HERE. Supply Box/Bag![]() Keeping your supplies organized in a box or bag is the best way to streamline your process. Remember that speed is your friend when you're painting outdoors; if you spend 10 minutes searching for a specific tube of paint then your painting time is that much shorter. I use a wooden painting box which holds my brushes, palette, painting knives, rags, oils, etc. It's not the most lightweight option, but it works for me and I have everything ready to go. I also keep my extra painting tubes, snacks, water and extra supplies separated in a backpack. If you're traveling by plane, you will need to check the specific regulations which can be found online. Gamblin colors has an article about it HERE. Travel or Folding Palette![]() When I'm painting in my studio, I usually use a large painting palette with a lot of room to mix color. Likewise, I have a larger palette for studio watercolors. But if I'm outdoors, I like to use a folding wooden palette for oil paints and a folding metal palette for watercolors. I wrote a blog post about my folding watercolor palette HERE. These folding palettes are nice for travel and provide enough mixing space to make it easier to work en plein air. Plein Air Umbrellas![]() Having an umbrella on location is actually one of the most essential tools. And it's not for rain, but actually for sun! I made a video about this, but a plein air umbrella blocks the glare of the sun and makes it much easier to see what you're doing. If you're using watercolor, the white paper can be really bright in direct sunlight; to protect your eyes and allow you to judge color and value, an umbrella is really a must-have. Check out my video below to learn more! Extras Here are some extra considerations when you go out en plein air. Remember to stay hydrated. Painting can be physically taxing and hours can fly by while you're in the zone, but remember to stay hydrated. Bring snacks and take breaks while you work.
I've also found it useful to bring a small plastic garbage bag to put paint rags and other supplies in or your garbage so you leave the location clean and undisturbed. Remember that paint can be toxic to wildlife and plants so don't discard materials (especially oil paints). Many nature preserves also provide trashcans along hiking trails. If you're going further into nature - see if your location has a restroom nearby; many nature preserves and hiking trails have restrooms on location which you can scout out before hiking. Remember to be safe in more remote locations and let people know where you're going before you go. Other necessities will come to you as you go along. I've personally learned almost everything from trial and error to see what I need and what's useful. I hope you give outdoor painting a try and let me know your results! Hi There! And welcome to Eric En Plein Air's official website! The "Eric" in Eric En Plein Air™ is me! My name is Eric Santoli and I am a painter, teacher and traveler. Thank you for checking out our blog!
This journey began in August of 2024, when I appeared as a guest on the floral lifestyle show, J Schwanke's Life in Bloom on American Public Television (APT). I had a wonderful time with J and his team and discussed the possibility of doing an instructional painting and travel program with APT. I'm so happy to say that J and his family have become my friends and we share news and updates. Speaking of which! My guest appearance will be airing in just a few days on April 8th! You'll be able to watch it online here: https://www.pbs.org/show/j-schwankes-life-in-bloom/ - Season 7, Episode #702. A few months after filming, I was able to connect with APT and discuss my vision for Eric En Plein Air. It's been a really fun and exciting adventure as we continue to develop this project. Our next step is to film a pilot, which we will be doing in the next couple weeks! The weather is getting warmer and I can't wait to take these steps forward on this exciting journey! Thank you for your support and please check out the rest of our website to learn more! |
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