Dear friends,
I hope you're enjoying the beauty of spring!
For me, the beginning of the warm season means the start of sketch walks and plein air adventures—a time bring the sketchbook outside.
But maybe you’ve thought about trying plein air sketching and felt a bit unsure. Maybe you think you need hours of free time. Or you’re not sure what to pack. Or the idea of sketching in public makes you hesitate.
Let me gently say: it doesn’t have to be a big deal.
Plein air can be light, joyful, and freeing. You don’t even need to “finish” anything—it’s really about being present, connecting with your surroundings, and making space for creativity.
Why Go Plein Air?
Here are just a few reasons why I love it—and maybe you will too:
- It helps you slow down and notice. Sketching outside invites you to pause. Let’s be honest—how often do we sit on a bench for an hour just to enjoy the view? It's highly unlikely to do it alone. But even in a group, we usually end up walking on or grabbing snacks. But sitting and sketching? That feels good. It turns into a calm, shared moment.
- It gives you a lovely reason to spend time with a friend/friends.
- Solo plein air might be treated like a date—with your city, the season, or yourself.
- It’s a beautiful way to remember a day. Photos are great, but sketching helps keep moments better. You spent time drawing and then vividly remember how the wind felt, the light, the sounds, the mood. That memory lives both in your sketchbook and in your head.
- It helps you draw from observation.
A quick word about people watching
I know that drawing in public can feel uncomfortable, especially if you're not used to it. Personally, I don’t like it, especially when strangers start commenting or asking questions. Over time, I found polite ways to respond—but thankfully, it doesn’t happen often.
Most people don’t even notice. And those who do usually just smile and move on. You're not performing. You're simply having a quiet moment with your sketchbook.
But if it still feels too uncomfortable, start in less crowded, quieter places—like your garden, balcony, or a calm corner in a park.
About Time Needed
You don’t need a whole afternoon. I often sketch for just 10–15 minutes, especially when I’m with my kids. And if you don’t finish—no problem. You can always add colour or details later at home. Even the quickest sketch connects you to the moment.
What to Pack for Plein Air
The key is to keep it compact and self-sufficient. The lighter and smaller your kit, the more likely you’ll take it with you—on a walk or a trip.
Here’s what I usually bring:
- A sketchbook with a hard cover (if you're not sure how to choose the right sketchbook, I’ve written a full post about it here →). Or loose sheets - in this case I use a canvas board as a backing—it's thin, inexpensive, and available at most art shops. Super convenient to use outdoors.
- My compact watercolour palette.
These are the colours I truly love and use again and again. They mix into almost anything I need:
- A few brushes (or a water brush if I need to pack light)
- A pencil or two, coloured pencils, and a sharpener
- Paper tissues or cloth
- A collapsible water container (or a water brush if I need to pack light)
If this speaks to you and you’d like to see plein air in action, I’ve gathered some of my favourite moments into a short and uplifting new Skillshare class. It turned out beautifully—and I hope it will feel both inspiring and encouraging for you too.
>>> Plein Air for Fun: A Simple Guide to Outdoor Sketching - Welcome!
Each lesson is a short, to-the-point story, offering gentle motivation, practical tips, and space to create freely:
✨ Lesson 1 is an introduction to my personal approach to plein air sketching. I take you on a spontaneous sketching walk with my teenage daughter to a botanical garden.
✨ Lesson 2 is about time. I share a lovely moment from our family archive—me sketching while my little son plays nearby.
✨ Lesson 3 is about creating together. I show how I organised a painting session with friends and kids—an example of how art can bring people closer.
✨ Lesson 4 gives you a look inside my plein air kit—what I bring and why, with a focus on keeping things simple and travel-friendly.
This class is part of my ongoing series on art journaling and keeping a sketchbook , and yes—I’ll be adding more videos over time!
*Skillshare offers a 1-month FREE trial, so you can explore and see if it’s the right fit for you—risk-free!
But whether you take the class or not, I hope you give yourself a little time outdoors with your sketchbook this season.
Let it be light and enjoyable.
With warmth,
Olya