OutdoorPainter

What happens when an artist sets aside long-held misconceptions to explore the heart of a foreign culture? For Eric Rhoads, a month-long journey through China revealed a world not just of ancient history, but of a sophisticated, modern, and incredibly vibrant outdoor painting movement that is setting a new global standard.

This Art School Live critique session with Eric Rhoads covers composition, values, focal point, edge control, and warm vs cool balance, with practical fixes like checking in black and white and simplifying clutter.

At the most critical junctures, few, and sometimes no one, will believe ...

If you've been considering entering your work in an art competition, you'll want to take note of what these PleinAir Salon judges have said about their First Place choices.

James Faecke shares the challenge and his solution to painting greens with watercolor, his plein air palette, and his personalized set of primaries.

Check out this helpful list of tips from Carrie Curran, who lays out what you should do before painting, advice for sketching your scene, and steps for success.

Elements of wear and tear in Mat Barber Kennedy’s textural watercolors show signs of life and how we live it.

Artist Cindy Baron has revealed her selections for the May 2026 Salon Art Prize. Cindy is nationally recognized in both watercolors and oils, painting the grand landscapes of the western mountains and coastal shorelines. Her top choices are ...

Brienne Brown shares her approach to painting with watercolor in this quick tip for beginners.

Across centuries, artists have looked to high places for subjects that evoke awe, challenge perspective, and stir the spirit. From remote mountains and rugged cliffs to gently rolling hills, these scenes have long symbolized both grandeur and solitude. In this showcase, ten contemporary plein air painters continue that tradition, capturing the drama, mystery, and quiet majesty of the world’s elevated landscapes.