1. Summer is the time for open air painting sessions
2. Wnat to bring for plein air painting and drawing sessions

• Special artist’s umbrella
• Folding chair
• Easel
• Solid base for watercolour
• Painting materials including watercolour, gouache and tempera
• Keep a small container of water on hand
• Graphic materials
• Paper

2. Exploring the remarcable monuments of Veliky Novgorod outdoors. Novgorod Kremlin 

3. Outdoor workspaces. The Trade Side of Novgorod

4.  Looking for workspaces.Some features of depicting architectural objects

5. Managing your time effectively

6. Understanding the traits of various art forms. Some practical advice

7.  Summary

1. Summer is the time for open-air painting sessions

The first two months of summer—June and July—are devoted to plein air sessions at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts named after I. Repin. For first-year architecture students, the experience of working outdoors is unique because it combines assignments within the city with trips outside its limits, including visits to Staraya Ladoga, Vyborg, and Veliky Novgorod.

These full-day bus trips require thoughtful preparation to make the most of the time available. Understanding the particular character of each excursion is key to a rewarding experience. Every destination presents its own opportunities for artistic creativity and architectural study, giving students a chance to connect with diverse historical settings and landscapes.

2. What to Bring for Plein Air Painting and Drawing Sessions

Before heading out, the art instructors from the Faculty of Architecture gather the students to share important tips for working outdoors beyond Saint Petersburg.

The top priority for everyone is to pack all the essential art supplies and tools needed for the project. Since many students aren’t used to painting outside, they’ll need to adjust quickly to changing light conditions and sometimes unpredictable weather. Being prepared to manage on their own while away from home is key.

With that in mind, students should make sure to bring the following items:

1. Special Artist’s Umbrella

   This umbrella offers a perfect solution for artists who want to capture interesting scenes without being bothered by direct sunlight, especially when natural shade like tree canopies, building awnings, or arches aren’t available.

   By blocking the harsh glare of the sun, it helps maintain a clear view of the work surface and opens up new possibilities for exploring compositions where subjects are backlit, highlighting their striking silhouettes. With this tool, artists can concentrate fully on their craft, confident that lighting won’t disrupt their creative process.

2. Folding Chair

   Compact and easy to carry, the folding chair lets you settle comfortably wherever you choose to work, without the need to hunt for a place to sit. No more relying on benches, fallen logs, tree stumps, or uneven patches of ground.

   This adaptable chair lets you set up shop wherever inspiration finds you. Whether you’re in a park, by the shore, or along a hiking path, it’s the ideal companion for taking a break or getting things done.

3. Easel

   When traveling, it’s ideal to bring along a medium-sized easel, especially one with adjustable legs. This type of easel not only holds your brushes, paints, palettes, and other essential art supplies but also acts as a compact, portable workspace perfect for painting outdoors.

   Such an easel lets you set the height just right and provides sturdy support, so you can work comfortably no matter where you are. Its lightweight and adaptable design make it easy to carry, making it a smart pick for plein air painting or art trips. Investing in a quality easel can really improve your experience, giving you a dependable base to create beautiful artwork in natural settings.

   With the right easel, artists can fully engage with their environment, effortlessly capturing landscapes and scenes. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, a well-crafted medium easel is an essential tool that boosts creativity and makes painting outside truly enjoyable.

4. Solid Base for Watercolor

Having a solid base for watercolor painting is crucial to getting the best outcome. This could be a tablet or a sketchbook designed with thick, detachable sheets of paper. A strong surface offers the support needed when working with watercolors, helping your brush glide more easily and giving you greater control over your strokes.

5. Painting materials including watercolor, gouache, and tempera.

Within the art programs at the Faculty of Architecture, oil paints are not used.

6. Keep a Small Container of Water on Hand.

This will be useful in situations where there may not be a nearby source to replenish your supplies or wash off dirty brushes.Having water readily available ensures that you can maintain cleanliness and efficiency while working.

7. Graphic Materials:

• Pencils
• Sepia
• Gel Pen
• Thick Marker
• Raw Sauce

These drawing tools are selected depending on the nature of the work—whether it’s a quick sketch, a detailed drawing, or a finished piece. While the pen is a fascinating medium that opens up many creative possibilities, it’s not ideal for plein air work because it tends to be time-consuming. However, it works wonderfully for studio projects, where artists can develop landscapes, drawings, and architectural details based on outdoor sketches.

Pencils are incredibly versatile and perfect for fast, spontaneous sketches. Sepia brings warmth and richness, adding depth to the artwork. Gel pens offer smooth, clean lines and vibrant colors, making them great for intricate details. Thick markers create bold, eye-catching strokes that provide strong contrast. Raw sauce, though less conventional, can introduce interesting textures and is often used in mixed media pieces. Each tool has its own unique qualities, so choosing the right one depends on the desired result.

8. Paper

Paper choice varies depending on the location or the specific task at hand. Some common types include:

• Colored paper
• Tinted paper
• Textured paper, such as torchon
• Watercolor sketchbooksThe last option is especially useful since it combines a reliable surface with a convenient source of paper for watercolor work. When working outdoors, organizing your workflow is crucial. A typical open-air workday lasts around six hours, usually from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Within this period, students should aim to complete at least ten drawings, paintings, or sketches. To make the most of this time, it’s important to have a solid grasp of the area, the subjects, and the environment. A good approach is to explore the site with an instructor ahead of time and pinpoint the best spots to work from.

2. Exploring the Remarkable Monuments of Veliky Novgorod Outdoors. Novgorod Kremlin

Begin your visit with a leisurely walk through the ancient Novgorod Kremlin, once known as Detinets. This historic site instantly transports you back to medieval times and beyond. The architectural and artistic treasures here, spanning from the 11th to the 19th centuries, offer a vivid glimpse into the past.

Among the highlights for today’s visitors are several structures from the Kievan Rus period: St. Sophia Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Chamber along with its courtyard, the Chasozvonya bell tower of St. Sophia, and Nikita’s Corps. All these landmarks are close to one another, making it easy to explore on foot.

The variety of monuments presents a wonderful chance to capture striking scenes through their unique shapes and outlines, enjoy sweeping views, admire intricate architectural details, compare different textures, and see how artistic expression shapes design. Ultimately, these sites allow you to follow the development of ancient Russian architecture in a truly tangible way.

3. Outdoor Workspaces: The Trade Side of Novgorod

Just across the Volkhov River lies the Trade Side of Veliky Novgorod, a district rich with historical architecture. Here, you’ll find notable landmarks like the Church of St. Paraskeva on the Trade, the Nikolsky Cathedral, and the famous Church of the Transfiguration on Ilyina Street, which is decorated with frescoes by Theophanes the Greek. The Gostiny Dvor, with its bright white arcade, seems to set the tone for the whole architectural ensemble.

From this vantage point, visitors are treated to a sweeping view of the Volkhov River and the Sofia Side across the water. If you wander down below Yaroslav’s Court, the nearby streets and narrow alleys reveal charming examples of both private and public buildings dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

On a warm, sunny day, the area offers plenty of shaded spots, perfect for avoiding glare on sketchbooks or drawing pads. It’s an inviting place for artists and creative souls to settle in, work, and draw inspiration from the surroundings.

4.Looking for Workspaces. Some Features of Depicting Architectural Objects

Ideally, the drawing surface should be positioned in partial shade; direct bright light on the paper tends to make the drawing appear too dark.

Architectural elements can be illustrated in different ways depending on the purpose—sometimes shown within a sweeping panoramic view, other times tucked away inside a quiet courtyard.

While many landscape artists today frequently use photographs as a reference, it’s important not to become overly dependent on them. Photography is a helpful aid, but it shouldn’t dictate the entire process. For example, when needing to remember the specifics of an architectural detail, a photo can serve as a quick guide.

What truly matters is interpreting and adapting these images rather than copying them exactly. This approach brings a personal dimension to the work, enriching the final piece. Striking a balance between faithful representation and creative interpretation often results in more engaging and meaningful representations of architecture.

5. Managing Your Time Effectively

One of the biggest challenges in outdoor plein air work is the limited time available, which makes choosing your location especially important for staying productive. Instead of moving around to capture different scenes, try focusing on a single spot and explore it through various techniques like painting or drawing. This way, you save valuable time and can complete the number of sketches or watercolors needed for your final project without rushing.

Taking the time to plan ahead helps you get the most done while keeping distractions to a minimum. Before you head out, scout potential locations that offer a range of interesting views or subjects. That way, you can switch between different methods without having to relocate. Setting clear goals for each session—whether it’s the number of pieces you want to finish or specific techniques you want to work on—can also keep you focused and motivated.

By approaching your outdoor sessions with this kind of preparation, you’ll use your time more efficiently and enjoy a richer creative process.

6. Understanding the Traits of Various Art Forms and Practical Advice

The goals behind graphic art differ significantly from those in watercolor, gouache, or tempera painting. When working on drawings, it’s important to select scenes with minimal shadows or position the light source behind the subject to create a backlit effect. In this approach, a strong grasp of shape and silhouette is key.

On the other hand, painting usually benefits from starting with the shadows. Establishing these tonal areas early on helps to build depth and guides the application of color more effectively.

Quick sketches of objects deserve special attention. While it’s important to spend some time on these studies, the majority of effort should be reserved for more polished, finished pieces.

Both painting and graphic assignments should stay within an A4 size limit due to time constraints. Striking a balance between a polished finish and the spontaneous feel of working outdoors is crucial—capturing freshness without overworking the details or making the piece feel stiff.

7. Summary

After each trip, usually once a week, we hold classroom consultations. These sessions prove to be very valuable for both professors and students. Professors get a clear overview of the group’s work, while students can reflect on their progress and prepare questions for the instructor in advance.

This approach helps highlight strengths and areas needing improvement, making it easier to get ready for the final exhibition of the summer practice.

The summer plein air program at the architecture faculty is unquestionably important in many respects. It helps students develop key skills, expand their outlook, and improve their handling of artistic tools and materials. Altogether, these experiences play a crucial role in shaping a unified aesthetic vision for their future independent architectural projects.

Special emphasis should be placed on quick sketches of objects. Although some time should be devoted to these exercises, most effort needs to be directed toward finished pieces.

Both painting and graphic assignments should be done on A4-sized paper or smaller, as there is limited time for final touches. It’s important to find a balance between completeness and preserving the fresh, spontaneous feeling of plein air work, avoiding overworking details or making the pieces look too stiff.