This month our August Watercolor prompt has nothing to do with painting. Instead we are going to focus on creating an outdoor space.
I know what you might be thinking, I can just grab a chair and sit anywhere to paint. I think that's great if you have that ability but for me, I like painting where I feel comfortable and connected.
So, when I decided to establish my "outdoor studio" I wanted to allow more thought because in Texas, August happens to be the hottest month of the year.
This means if I hope to use this space at all this month it needs to be in the shade. Which is a great idea for any time of year when you live in the south.
To begin we will start with location.
Choosing The Outdoor Location
Every artist knows what they like or don't like about the space in which their creativity thrives. For me, it's all about the outdoors so selecting the right location was very important.
I had a couple of ideas, but only one provided the necessary shade to deal with our temperatures.
This brings me back to when we originally scouted this land, I remember walking through the rubble seeking high spots far enough away from the road for privacy.
These oak trees marked that spot, they were right off one of the highest mounds on the entire property. I could visualize where our building would go, the garden, ponds and much more.
So, naturally when I was selecting my outdoor location I chose to be near the oak trees for several reasons.
- The trees brought me back to the beginning.
- There would be plenty of shade.
- It was right off the garden and pond.
- There is wildlife activity.
All of these points are important because they help me relax while feeling the air move without taking away from whatever I might be painting.
When choosing your location, select a spot that speaks to you in a creative way and don't settle.
Choosing Your Table
The next step is to select your table. This will be different for everyone and some of you might only need a chair. If that's the case then move on and begin painting in your location.
My process was a little more in-depth because I wanted something that just felt like it fit this space where I could sprawl out my art supplies.
This brought me to a traditional picnic table and let me just say, I LOVE IT!
Normally I would build a project such as this, but because it has been hot I decided to get one that was ready made If you choose to purchase as I did make sure it has been assembled with real wood, bolts and if they used nails possibly reinforce with screws.
Once that is done you can leave it natural; if you want it to last then I recommend a good sanding followed by stain. I prefer stain over paint because longevity is everything.
This entire project was under $130, as I got the table and stain on sale. If you choose to build your own then try these building plans, an article I wrote for Grit Magazine in 2017.
This article was originally published in print, volume 135 Sept./Oct. That seems like so long ago; I guess it was because we were living on our little farm.
Setting Up Your Space
It's finally time to set up your new outdoor space for watercolor painting. Grab your supplies and place them in a way that complements your painting style.
You might even like some of my supply suggestions here.
When I was bringing my supplies outside, I discovered it would be handy to have them ready to go in some sort of a box or basket.
Having them handy would mean "one trip" on my way to paint outdoors.
Watercolor Painting Outdoors
It has been a few weeks since I have painted much of anything. I think the heat has sort of depleted my ambition.
This morning I decided to break the silence, sit outdoors and watercolor paint. I lasted about an hour which was pretty good from 10 am- 11 am.
A shady spot was the best choice for this August Outdoor Watercolor Prompt and I really enjoyed the way it felt to be outside in this space.
I want to encourage you to find an outdoor painting location where your creativity will feel connected. Spend August establishing this space so it will be ready to use when the temperatures drop in September.
Thank you for joining me today. Remember there is no subscription here, simply share your thoughts in the comments as I always enjoy hearing from the readers.
I would love to hear about your plans to implement this watercolor prompt for August.
Encouraging goodness,
Carole West
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