I had a lovely idea while visiting New York.
I would find a flower I wanted to paint, sit down with my sketchbook, and spend a peaceful hour painting outdoors.
Simple enough.
At least it sounded simple until I arrived at Bryant Park.
The park was packed. People were having lunch, meeting friends, drinking coffee, and walking past in every direction. It was so busy that we had to wait for a place to sit near the flower I wanted to paint.
And suddenly, I wasn't so sure about my wonderful idea anymore.
Because now I had to sit down in the middle of all those people, take out my paints, and start painting.
It's Not Always the Painting That Feels Scary
I think one of the biggest reasons many artists hesitate to paint outdoors isn't the painting itself.
It's being seen while painting.
At home, we have our familiar creative space. We can make mistakes, mix the wrong color, create an awkward brushstroke, and simply try again.
Outside feels different.
We become aware of the people around us.
What if somebody watches?
What if somebody comes over?
What if they think my painting isn't very good?
These thoughts can appear before we've even made the first brushstroke.
So I Decided to Stay
For a moment, I considered packing everything away.
Not because I didn't want to paint the flower anymore, but because I felt uncomfortable.
Then I had a simple thought.
If I leave because of this feeling today, I'll probably feel exactly the same way next time.
So I stayed.
Not because I suddenly felt confident.
I didn't.
I was still nervous.
But instead of trying to avoid the feeling, I decided to let myself experience it and see what happened.
For the first part of the painting session, I noticed everyone.
Every person walking behind me.
Every voice nearby.
Every movement around the table.
And then something surprising happened.
Nothing.
Nobody judged my painting.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody stopped to tell me I shouldn't be there.
People were busy having lunch, meeting friends, talking, and living their own lives.
Some may have glanced at my sketchbook for a moment, but then they continued on their way.
Most People Are Thinking About Their Own Lives
I think we sometimes forget this.
We imagine that everyone is paying attention to us, when in reality most people are focused on their own plans, conversations, and responsibilities.
And if someone does stop to look, it's often simple curiosity.
People enjoy seeing someone create something.
That doesn't mean they're standing there deciding whether you're a good artist.
Remembering this can make painting outdoors feel much lighter.
Then I Started Seeing the Flower
After a while, something changed.
I stopped paying so much attention to the people around me and started paying attention to the flower.
I noticed the blue-violet tones in the petals, the deep pinks near the center and the different greens in the leaves.
I began comparing colors, mixing small swatches, and observing details I might have missed in a photograph.
The park was still busy.
New York hadn't suddenly become quiet.
But I had become quieter.
My attention had shifted away from myself and back to observation.
And that is one of the things I love most about painting from life.
Make Your First Outdoor Painting Session Easy
If you've been wanting to paint outdoors but feel nervous, try making the experience as simple as possible.
Take a small sketchbook.
Bring a simple palette.
Paint one flower, one leaf, or a few color studies.
You don't need to create a finished painting or to create your best work.
Let the experience itself be the goal.
It can also help to choose a familiar place or bring a friend with you the first time.
My husband and daughter were nearby that day, and having them close definitely made me feel more comfortable.
And perhaps don't begin in one of the busiest parks in New York.
That might help too.
Confidence Doesn't Always Come First
One thing I've learned over the years is that confidence doesn't always arrive before we do something.
Sometimes it arrives because we did it.
By the end of that painting session, I felt completely different from the person who had sat down there an hour earlier.
I was relaxed.
I was enjoying myself.
And when I look back at that sketchbook page, I won't only remember the flower I painted.
I'll remember Bryant Park.
I'll remember New York.
I'll remember the experience of being there.
Taking your sketchbook outside isn't only about creating art.
It's also about experiencing a place more closely.
The next time you're tempted to wait until you feel more confident, consider taking your sketchbook anyway.
You don't need to paint something beautiful.
Simply sit down, mix one color, make one brushstroke, and then another.
You may discover what I discovered that day.
The world isn't watching nearly as closely as we think it is.
And somewhere along the way, you might forget about everyone else completely and simply paint.
If you'd like to build confidence with watercolor, explore my free Watercolor 101 Guide. Inside, you'll find 40 beginner-friendly lessons covering color mixing, brush control, observation, and watercolor techniques.
With love,
Kristine 💚
0 comments