Plein air painting is a great way of painting. You're in the great outdoors, breathing in the fresh air, admiring the beautiful view and capturing it in your painting. But, the great outdoors isn't like your studio at home, where you're safe from the elements. There's nothing you can do to stop the heavens opening up, but there are a few preventative measures you can take to ensure your painting sessions doesn't go awry.
Essential supplies
Umbrellas should be on every plein air painter's checklist of essential supplies. Add to that list things like a waterproof overcoat and a rubbish bag, or some sort of covering, which you can use to cover your painting if you get caught in the rain. If it's lightly raining, use the umbrella to shield your painting from the rain. If it gets too much, put your painting away in a rubbish bag until the rain clears. 메리트카지노 If you get wet, you can always dry off, but if your painting gets wet, there's a good chance it's going to get ruined, especially if you've already made a good start on it.
Paint from a sheltered place
You could always avoid the rain by painting from a sheltered place, such as under a bridge or a tunnel. Of course, you might prefer the view from somewhere that isn't sheltered, so don't feel you have to paint from a sheltered spot whenever you paint en plein air. If it does start raining, it might be a good idea to head to a sheltered place and resume your painting there until the rain clears. Or if you don't actually paint, you can at least appreciate the scene you're painting from a different angle. Better yet, you could just paint from your car, but then you're not getting out in the great outdoors, which is part of the fun of plein air painting.
Defying the rain
Some painters will prepare for every eventuality and will paint no matter what. If you have your essentials with you, you can effectively complete your painting in the rain, though there's a chance it will be a lot different from what you originally thought it would be. Some people like this - they love being able to paint a scene in the rain because it adds a whole new perspective to the scene. Painting in the rain is definitely worth trying - just make sure you cover up and are able to make the most of the bad weather. If you're put off by it, think of how interesting it would be to do a painting in a different way like this.
It's that time of year that makes us constantly stare out our windows (and clocks) when we're at work, eagerly waiting to enjoy the warmth of the sunlight and what would generally be known as a "beautiful day." You arrive home, are ready to relax, only to find on the kitchen counter the one thing that could turn this dreamy carriage of a day into a rotten pumpkin coach: your water bill.
Your water bill may not be very high... yet
During the warmer months of spring and summer water use increases by up to 50% in most American homes. Tasks such as watering the lawn, gardening, and washing the car are completed more frequently. This spike in water use of course produces a spike in the water bill as it is in addition to the water used indoors throughout the entire year. Although some states may have watering restrictions, the hotter months can be especially harsh on local water supplies. Investing in a rain water harvesting system will prove to be an efficient solution to this yearly problem.
Financially and Environmentally Friendly
Making use of rain barrel stands will benefit both you and the environment. They help decrease the amount of residential water used, as you will be using [free] rainwater to complete outdoor tasks. A rain water harvesting system can store up to 60 gallons of rain water. During summer peak months one barrel alone can save just about 1,300 gallons of water. That is the equivalent of fifty-two 10-minute showers in the average home! A rain water barrel can be connected to another rain barrel to further increase your water savings while decreasing your water bill.
Typically, rainwater normally pours off the roof directly or flows through roof gutter downspouts and becomes stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff can contain pollutants such as oil, sediment, grease, nutrients and bacteria. Collecting rainwater reduces the amount of stormwater runoff and increases the amount of groundwater. In addition, these US manufactured barrels are made from recycled shipping barrel.
What is a typical rain water barrel like?
The Great American Rain Barrel Company has produced rain barrel stands designed to be incredibly durable; as they obviously must be placed outside in often harsh conditions to collect the rainwater (makes sense, right?). The wall thickness on these UV protected polyethylene rain barrels is such that the barrels can virtually last forever. This allows the rain barrel to pay for itself within a matter of months, and continue to save you money as long as you are willing to use it.
The rain water barrel from the Great American Rain Barrel Company includes a threaded spigot placed 14" from the ground, a second spigot 4" off the ground for a normal garden hose, a screw on cover, drain plug, and overflow fitting, as well as an instruction manual for simple installation. The barrel can be placed on a crate or block to add height. In addition, it includes a screen cover to stop debris from mixing with the rainwater you collect. These are all the tools you will need to install and use your rain barrel stands and begin to save water and money on water bills.
The rain water harvesting system can be used throughout the summer months with ease. However, during the colder months of winter the rain water barrel should be removed. If left standing through the winter it can fall victim to ice damage. Once the seasons change and that warm weather is back, place your rain barrel stands back out there for collecting rainwater, and once again this water will be ready when needed without burdening the local water supply system or your wallet.