PAINTING AMELIA
By Mary Beth Litrico - Photos by Margery Cook

     Amelia Island is a naturally beautiful place. It is also, historically speaking, a fascinating place. The combined natural beauty and history are a plein air painter's paradise. En plein air, French for painting in the open air, is a wonderful way to capture your favorite images of Amelia Island.
   From simple beachscapes to historical portraits, painters of any level can capture a moment of Amelia with their eyes and a few simple tools. The most difficult part may be choosing a subject, since there are so many possibilities.

The author gives plein air painting a go.
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   Suggestions include Burney Park, with wind-influenced dunes and trees; Nassau Sound Bridge, with colorful fishers and water scenes; Fort Clinch State Park, rich in both nature and history; Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, with its Victorian architecture; marinas; or simply choose a subject from a boat, from a beach house or from your imagination. Examples featured in this article may inspire you.

A colorful day for artists on the old Nassau Sound Bridge.
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   Before you start out, organize a few things. What will you need?

• Paints of your choice. Miniature-sized field kits are available, or select a few of  your favorite colors (tubes or pans) and a small palette
• Colored pencils or water-soluble crayons
• Some small sizes of paper, or whatever you want to paint on
• A board, easel or other sturdy surface
• Or paint directly in a sketch or painting notebook
• Pencils and erasers
• A camera
• Water and a water bucket
• A chair (and maybe an umbrella that you can attach to the chair)
• A hat and sunscreen
• A large cardboard box that you can upend as a side table.
• A tote for your gear (or use the box)
• Bug spray

    A final thought from author Frank LaLumia in his book, Plein Air Painting in Watercolor and Oil, "Painting from life is the great teacher. This is not my idea, it's the wisdom of the ages handed down to us. Nature presents herself in an infinite variety of colors, values and textures. The ability to organize this wonderful chaos is a learned skill and is fundamental to any real goal of self-expression. We paint from life in order to learn how to see."

Amelia Island Outdoor Gallery

Addie Robb's fauve-colored watercolor interpretation of the kitchen at Fort Clinch.
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How many places present an opportunity to paint historic figures?
Grace Hammond captured Union solidier, Stan Reed, on a coffee break
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Painting not your bag? Ft. Clinch offers opportunities for drawing,
such as Susan Goldman's view into the kitchen.
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Two colorful anglers enjoying a day on the Nassau Sound bridge. Painted by Margery Cook.
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Margaret Ann Conrad's interpretation of Burney Park's wind-influenced hammock.
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Mary Beth Litrico's impression of Amelia River marsh.
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Windblown trees at Burney Park by Gloria Adams.
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