Painting outdoors

I watched another film called “Dreams” by Akira Kurosawa. It’s actually a compilation of short films put together in just one film. In one of the short films, the film maker, Akira, was viewing some paintings made by the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh in an art gallery. All of a sudden, he was transported back in time and personally met Vincent in an open wheat field of gold. Upon seeing the film maker who was carrying a canvass and a knapsack, Vincent started a conversation. Vincent describes himself as a locomotive or a train pushing himself to paint despite the heat of the sun. Painting is what drives him. Painting is his passion. He then commanded Akira to start painting. Akira wanted to ask some more questions but Vincent left already to look for subjects to paint. Akira went after him and found himself among Vincent’s bright and colorful paintings. He later found Vincent disappearing in an open field filled with crows.

During those times, painters paint outdoors to catch the colors of the meadows, the tall trees, the huge mountains and many more. Some sketch their subjects first on their handy sketch pads before doing their painting versions of their sketches in their respective studios. Some who have the luxury of time use watercolor because it’s quick drying and at the same time, offers a variety of colors. When I was younger, I usually have a sketch pad with me anywhere I go so that if I see a nice subject to draw then I would just sit down and draw right there on the spot. I would draw people, a park, a dog and many more. It’s nice to draw and paint outdoors for fun, relaxation or for passion. Nowadays, I don’t bring a sketch pad anymore. I just bring my 4MP Digital still camera or my camera cell phone. One beautiful scene is just a click away to work on later in my house.