It’s the Doing That Matters – Plein Air Painting With Mum

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I haven’t painted en plein air for a while, but yesterday’s outing with my Mum reminded me why I love it. It brought me back to this simple truth: it’s the doing that matters.

Some days, painting outside feels like a bit of a miracle. Not because the outcome is perfect (spoiler: it rarely is), but because you showed up. You wrangled your gear, you got outside, and you painted. Full stop. 💪

It was a lovely afternoon. Nothing dramatic, just the kind of day that makes you breathe a bit deeper and smile for no particular reason. Since I’d been away from plein air painting, truth be told, I was feeling a bit rusty. And because of that, the resistance to actually going outside and painting was in good form. But there was something about having a painting buddy —especially someone like my Mum—that gave me the nudge to just get out there, regardless of how unprepared I felt.

Painting One: The Bins (Yes, Really)

We picked a shady spot (few and far between) and got set up. The view in front of me? Two bins tucked against a hedge with a slash of sunlight cutting across. Not your classic “paint me!” subject but I found something compelling about it. It was about the light, the shapes, my fascination with these oh so ordinary and unseen (except when needed) objects.

The scene on Dallas Rd here in Victoria, BC

As usual, I did a thumbnail to map things out and familiarise myself with what I wanted to paint. Then dove in.

It felt good to just… begin. No overthinking. Just picking underlayer colours and building the piece from there, letting the scene reveal itself. And being okay with the result. Was it a masterpiece? Absolutely not. Did I enjoy the process? Immensely.

It's the Doing that Matters! First layer colours for the bins — First layer colours for the bins

It's the Doing that Matters! Gail Sibley, The Bins on Dallas Rd, Schmincke pastels on UART 320, 5 1/2 x 9 in — Gail Sibley, The Bins on Dallas Rd, Schmincke pastels on UART 320, 5 1/2 x 9 in

Painting Two: The Bonus Round

I finished the first piece (resist fiddle-faddling!) and looked over—Mum was still deep in concentration, layering her watercolours. I could have packed up, scrolled my phone, taken a walk, or just stared into space, but instead, I thought: why not try another?

I made time for a quick thumbnail—nothing special, but it helped me get clear on what I wanted to include and what I wanted to say.

There’s something freeing about this kind of “bonus” painting. I wasn’t expecting to make another. I had no pressure on myself. And in that looseness, something lovely happened. I played more. Observed more. Trusted more.

It's the doing that matters: First layer colours — First layer colours

It's the doing that matters: Finished on location painting - tree and sea, Schmincke pastels on UART 320, 5 x 9 in — Finished on location painting – tree and sea, Schmincke pastels on UART 320, 5 x 9 in

It reminded me—yet again—that the painting is never a waste, even if it’s not a keeper. The real magic is in the doing.

The Real Takeaway

This day was such a clear reminder of something I often tell others:

It’s not about the outcome —it’s the doing that matters.

It’s the act of standing in front of a subject, tuning in to the light, seeing and deciding on the value relationships, observing the colours, and getting absorbed in that quiet (or sometimes not-so-quiet) flow.

Even better? Doing it alongside someone you love. Watching Mum paint, the quiet companionable focus —it all added up to something much more meaningful than just two finished paintings.

It's the doing that matters: Mum painting a different scene in watercolour — Mum painting a different scene in watercolour

So I’ll Leave You With This…

Next time you’re unsure whether it’s “worth it” to paint because you’re tired, uninspired, or worried it won’t turn out—try shifting your focus. Let go of the end result and just show up.

Just. Show. Up.

Because it’s the showing up that makes the difference.
The doing that teaches you something.
The experience that fills you up in more ways than you might imagine.

My two paintings with the second scene. (The light contrast is extreme as you can see!)

Have you had a “just show up” moment lately? Have you found that really, it’s the doing that matters? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Until next time,

~ Gail

PS. I forgot to mention…there’s a wee twist in the tale!

I decided to swap my trusty set of Unison Colour pastels for a set of 30 Schmincke pastels. Talk about stepping out of my comfort zone! It was a challenge, for sure, as I wasn’t used to the colour selection (I’ve been using my set constantly now for close to four years!) and there were definitely colours (and values!!) missing, but it was also an adventure. Sometimes, it’s those little disruptions that spark the most creativity. I had to adapt, find new ways to express myself, and guess what? It was liberating!