How to stay cool, stay creative, and not melt like your watercolors
Painting outdoors in the summer sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?
A quiet lake. Birds chirping. Light bouncing off leaves in the most painterly way.
But then you actually try it.
Suddenly, your canvas is catching wind like a kite, sweat is dripping into your eyes, and a bug just landed in your palette. Welcome to plein air painting,nature’s version of an art boot camp.
Still, if you get the hang of it, it’s one of the most energizing, honest, and soul-refreshing ways to paint.
Here are 10 real-deal tips (from someone who’s painted through blazing sun, surprise storms, and one extremely curious goat) to help you make the most of summer plein air sessions.
Also see: 20 Creative Outdoor Art Ideas for Your Summer Garden
1. Pick Your Time Like a Smart Photographer
Midday light is flat and harsh. That’s not just a photography rule,it applies to painting too. The golden hours (roughly 6–9 a.m. and 5–7:30 p.m. depending on your latitude) offer longer shadows, richer tones, and gentler heat.
I once tried painting a wheat field at 1 p.m. in July. The shadows were non-existent, the heat was demonic, and everything looked… beige. Lesson learned.
Pro tip: Set up in advance if you can. Scout your location the day before and bring reference pics just in case clouds crash the party.
2. Pack Smarter, Not More
It’s easy to overpack when you’re nervous about forgetting something. But hauling 12 brushes, 4 mediums, and a full French easel on a gravel trail? That’s a punishment, not a painting trip.
What you actually need:
- 2–3 brushes
- Limited palette (5–6 colors max)
- Sketchbook or toned paper
- Water bottle (for you and maybe your paints)
- Lightweight stool (optional, but gold)
Try to keep everything under 5 kg. Your back will thank you.
3. Dress Like a Desert Artist
Cotton’s not your friend. It soaks sweat, doesn’t breathe well, and turns into a wet napkin. Go for quick-dry fabrics, light colors, a hat with a wide brim, and polarized sunglasses.
Also? SPF. Apply it. Reapply it. Pretend you’re a sunscreen influencer. Your future self (and sketchbooks) will appreciate it.
One artist I met in Jodhpur wore arm sleeves and a scarf over her head every day, even in 40°C heat. She said, “Better to sweat than peel.” Wise words.
4. Think Shade First, Composition Second
Sure, that sunlit hill is breathtaking,but if there’s no shade nearby, you’ll be painting with one hand and fanning your face with the other. Always ask: “Can I last here for two hours without roasting?”
Look for spots with natural canopy,under trees, beside buildings, or even a parked van. Heck, I once painted from inside my hatchback with the trunk open. Not glamorous, but it worked.
5. Bring a Clip, Binder, or Magnets (Seriously)
Wind is the sneaky villain of plein air painting. You don’t notice it until your paper flaps mid-brushstroke or your entire setup crashes down like a toddler’s block tower.
Some handy helpers:
- Bulldog clips (for paper and sketches)
- Rare earth magnets (if using metal palette boxes)
- Mini bungee cords (for easel legs)
I’ve used a paintbrush as an emergency tent peg. It held. Barely.
6. Don’t Chase the Light (You’ll Lose)
The sun moves. Fast. So if you start painting that beautiful shadow cast by the church tower, and one hour later it’s gone… your canvas will feel like a lie.
Solution? Lock your values and lighting early. Some painters even sketch light shapes before laying color,just to anchor the mood.
Advanced move: Take a photo early on for lighting reference if you’re planning to finish the piece later in the studio.
7. Hydrate or Fade Away
You’re not just painting,you’re sweating, standing, squinting. That’s lowkey cardio. A liter of water per two hours is a good minimum.
I add lemon and salt to mine sometimes. A mini electrolyte boost keeps me more alert (and I swear it helps me make better color choices,could be placebo, but hey).
Snacks help too. Go for stuff that doesn’t melt or crumble all over your sketchbook,like trail mix, protein bars, or apples.
8. Use a Limited Palette, Master the Scene
Summer scenes can feel overwhelming,so much color, so much light. Simplify your kit. A basic warm-cool palette can still paint 90% of what you see:
- Ultramarine Blue
- Cerulean or Phthalo Blue
- Cadmium Red Light
- Alizarin Crimson
- Cadmium Yellow Light
- Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna
- Titanium White (if using oils/acrylics)
Some of my best plein air pieces were done with just 4 colors. Limitation sharpens focus. Bonus: less to pack and spill.
9. People Will Stop and Stare,Decide Now How to Deal
When you set up in public, you become a minor celebrity. Expect questions like:
- “Are you an art student?”
- “Did you paint this from memory?”
- “How much for this?”
- “Can you draw my dog?”
You can lean into it (great way to network or even sell on the spot) or zone out with headphones or a sketchbook barrier.
Personally, I keep a printed mini card with my Instagram and website. It handles most of the curiosity without breaking my flow.
10. Call It Done Before You’re Overcooked
Don’t overwork the piece just because you’re already there. Plein air isn’t about creating a masterpiece. It’s about observing honestly and capturing light quickly.
Finish while you’re still excited about it,not when you’re heat-struck and cranky. You can always refine later.
I often stop at 70%, snap a reference photo, and complete the rest indoors if needed. The raw energy of the field sketch usually carries better than trying to force a perfect finish on-site.
Final Thoughts
Painting outside in the summer is messy, unpredictable, and kind of addictive. Some days the light will be weird. Bugs will swarm. You’ll forget your white paint. It’s all part of the charm.
But when everything does click,when you nail that glowing sky or catch the wind in a tree,you’ll realize why artists have chased sunlight for centuries.
So get out there. Paint with grit, not just grace. Sweat a little. Mess up. And most of all, enjoy the process.
Got your own plein air hacks or funny painting-in-the-wild stories? Share them with me,I’d love to add a “reader tip” section in a future piece.
Happy painting. And don’t forget your sunscreen.