16 Sep 2012

Plein Air at the coast of Skagen

by Astrid | 0

Right now I am at the very north of Denmarks coast for plein air painting. Because it was quite windy I just took the most essential equipment with me. A sand sack helps a lot to stabilize the easel.

When it is so windy it is important to stick to your original idea and don’t try to include every changing situation. When the conditions had changed too much I stopped and will finish this piece later in the studio.

Plein Airs don‹ts! Don’t throw your pastel box to the ground because you got all excited about painting plein air.

About me

I am fascinated by the light conditions of the countryside, particularly in Northern Germany. I grew up in Hamburg so I am used to the rugged countryside and sometimes bleak weather and light conditions. The light in northern country landscapes is very special and it is indescribably beautiful. It touches my soul and opens up my heart when I visit the coast and feel the elemental force of the sea.
As opposed to my seascapes, I am very interested in the closely cropped views of the harbor and its endless diversity of shapes and colors.

With pastel painting l have found the ideal medium to artistically and creatively transform these special conditions of illumination. I love to spread pigment on paper without anything else in between.
Pastel paintings come alive when you put different layers of colour on the canvas. This is a great artistic stimulus for me. Which combination of colour pigments can be used to achieve precisely the effect of light and shade that I want? During the artistic process, layers of colour are continually built up and removed until the light situation has been captured and the picture can unfold its unique illuminating power.