Plein Air Painting at Battersea
For the past two years, Plein Air painters from across the Richmond region have been coming to Battersea to practice their craft and create paintings of the villa and grounds for our annual event, Art and Floral Inspirations. On September 27th, our painters are returning for their third year to share their talents and sell their paintings at our event.
What is Plein Air Painting?
Plein Air painting, from the French meaning ‘in open air’, is a technique that was first made famous by the French Barbizon School in the mid-19th century, in which artists would paint outside to depict natural landscapes directly from observation. The invention of portable easels and oil paints made it easier for artists to bring their supplies with them, and this technique quickly took off with Impressionist painters like Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro.
These paintings are often characterized by their slight imperfections and spontaneous nature, meaning no two plein air paintings are alike because of the changing elements and perspectives that affect the painting. Instead of spending weeks working on a painting in a studio, plein air painters are encouraged to try to capture the essence of their surroundings in one sitting, a method called, “alla prima.”
These painters often paint in a group, a practice popularized by American art groups such as the Old Lyme Art Colony. By painting similar subjects, and quickly capturing their landscapes, painters often take artistic risks and expressions that make their perspectives unique. Artists are encouraged to take inspiration from their fellow painters’ work, as a way to learn from one another.
What to Expect:
Some of our painters will start early, to beat the heat and work within their preferred lighting and landscape. Gates open at 10 am, so you may wish to arrive on the early side to ensure you’re able to see the landscape through their eyes. You may end up seeing Battersea in a completely different light! We’re encouraging all our attendees to bring a picnic lunch and attend the flower arrangement sessions as well. This event is going to be a great way to make it a day out of your visit to Battersea, and to discover something new! Please see our Calendar of Events page for more information on attending.
The painting below was done by Shavon Peacock, one of the plein air artists who visited Battersea in October 2023. Shavon has a great eye for composition, and her talent is much admired by her fellow painters and all of us at Battersea. All of the artists’ finished paintings are unique from one another and you may have a hard time choosing your favorite rendition of Battersea!
Shavon Peacock, 2023.
Written by: John Zeugner and Perry Raymond
