Color Mixing for Beginners
Achieving color harmony is certainly one of the keys to creating a successful painting. We need to infuse our paintings with harmonious color; however, our job becomes somewhat more complicated because...
The 6B Graphite Pencil: An Essential Drawing Tool
Toolbox tip: Learn about the drawing tool that Michael Chesley Johnson says is essential for plein air artists.
The Importance of Accurate Color Values
When learned and absorbed, this knowledge can bring dramatic changes to your work. See how in this guest blog post from John Pototschnik.
An Exploration of the Focal Point in a Painting
Is the focal point always the subject? The next time you are wondering why a painting you are working on seems dull and lifeless, think about this principle of “harmony and contrast” to see if you can come up with the answer.
Must-Have List: Crucial Outerwear and Art Supplies for Plein Air
From pants to paint tubes, you’ll want to refer to this list for your next plein air painting trip. Bonus: It includes tips for flying with art supplies!
What You Learn Painting Clouds in the San Francisco Bay
Steven McDonald finds that the baylands outside of San Francisco offer a superb place to observe and paint clouds. Here’s what he’s learned there.
Simplifying a Painting
“We all recognize the importance of editing, but that is just one of many ways to deal with simplification,” says Keiko Tanabe. “Other than deciding what to leave in and what to leave out, what else can we do?”
Painting on Location Without Chemicals
Pennsylvania artist Beth Bathe uses water-mixable oils, which have some of the characteristics of oils, acrylics, and watercolors. See why you may want to use these paints and avoid oil solvents.
5 Ways to Get Your Art Published
Follow these tips from Plein Air magazine Editor-in-Chief Kelly Kane to discover five ways to increase your network.
Make the Most of Your Next Art Workshop
Take in this expert advice from six highly respected painting instructors to improve your experience — and art — the next time you sign up for a workshop.
Is There a “Plein Air Season”? Advice for Painting in Cold, Wind, and Rain
If you haven’t ventured out in bad weather, try it! See why it’s not as daunting as it may appear, and get tips for your next excursion.
Embracing the Snowman Within: Painting Snow
As we enter the winter season, much of plein air painting will cease, but if you’re one of those purists who must stand in the snow to paint, these artists offer helpful advice.
How to Enter Your First Plein Air Event and Survive!
Applying to and participating in your first juried plein air event can be an overwhelming experience, but the rewards both professionally and personally are undeniable.
What’s an Artist to Do With ALL That Green?
For artists, the color green can be very daunting and, often, the way an artist handles this tricky color can denote rather quickly where they might be in their skill level as a painter. Here are some tips to help you handle the greens in your next painting.
Overcoming the Difficulties of Painting en Plein Air
Six outstanding plein air painters share useful tips that helped them push through those early struggles. Learn how they assimilate landscape overload and use all the material gathered on-site when creating larger studio works.
Can You Paint a Landscape with Just 3 Colors?
If not used with understanding, one’s use of color can make or break a painting. John Pototschnik explains.
How Plein Air Groups Get Museum Shows
An exhibition at a regional museum is a marketing coup — but how does it happen?
Use Pastels to Define and Suggest Responses to Nature
New Mexico artist Albert Handell uses pastels to respond both to the specifics of what he observes and to his emotional response: “I will eventually frame the painting, not the location I observe, so the image has to be more than an exact replica of the landscape.”
More Than An Accessory
Here at PleinAir Magazine, we recently received a letter to the editor from reader Carolyn Counnas on protecting your eyes while painting en plein air. See what her tip is to keep your vision safe.
Accepting the Challenge of Painting Skies
Tomas Honz has an impressive body of work focusing on various sky conditions. It was not done without a fair amount of adversity.