Because he studied in a Florida atelier structured like a 19th-Century European academy, one might expect Chad Smith’s plein air landscapes to be tightly detailed and limited in color. But that’s not the case, and an exhibition in Colorado reveals that Smith also learned from the American Impressionists.

It may be hard to see the connections between 19th-century Victorian paintings and the expressive plein air paintings of the 21st century, yet Frederic Lord Leighton (1830-1896) was as passionate about outdoor painting as any artist might be today.

When Ed S. Brickler demonstrates painting materials and techniques on April 14th during the 1st Annual PleinAir Convention & Expo, he will offer information about new products and procedures that are tremendously valuable to plein air painters. In addition to being a professional artist, Brickler is the Fine Art Director & Technical Consultant for Canson, Arches, and Royal Talens.