Latest Articles
Brian Sindler on the Acrylic Advantage
Discover why acrylic paint is the perfect match for an intuitive, fast-paced painting style—plus tips for keeping your palette and colors under control.
7 Paintings of Faraway Places
Join these plein air painters as they journey beyond the familiar, setting up their easels in distant corners of the globe to capture the light, atmosphere, and essence of foreign lands with works that invite us to see the world through their eyes.
First Place: “Sunburst Upon a Tranquil Silence”
Dave Santillanes has revealed his selections for the May 2025 PleinAir Salon art competition. They are ...
Postcard from the Road: Vladislav Yeliseyev in Cozumel
Florida artist Vladislav Yeliseyev captures an unexpected plein air moment during a family cruise stop in Cozumel, transforming a mundane port scene into a vibrant watercolor with creative composition.
Plein Air Today Reader Spotlight: A Mother-Daughter Duo
We love to hear from the Plein Air Today community! The following is part of a series that spotlights an artist who loves painting outdoors. Today's feature is from Sloane Keats.
The Top Plein Air Painting Events for July 2025
Take advantage of these in-person and virtual plein air painting opportunities from our special guide! Bonus: Includes upcoming event deadlines!
What 50 Years of Plein Air Painting Taught Me
A seasoned artist reflects on 50 years of plein air painting, sharing lessons in creativity, aging with grace, and the joy of staying curious and connected through art.
“An Incredible Moment” ~ Kyle Ma on Winning the PleinAir Salon
On a stage lined with this year’s PleinAir Salon finalists, Kyle Ma was running numbers in his mind as he listened to each name called for the final winners.
Backlit Beauty: Painting Otter Cliffs in Watercolor
Learn how artist Theresa Heidel captures the luminous beauty of Maine’s Otter Cliffs in watercolor, using backlighting, sharp contrasts, and translucent glazes to create a sparkling seascape full of depth and movement.
Artist Spotlight: Cecy Turner
How did you develop your unique style?
Cecy Turner: Concerning style, years ago I used to worry that I didn’t have a “style.” I have...
When you come to the Plein Air Convention & Expo (PACE), you're bound to make new friends in the art community. This year, I was lucky to meet Carolyn Grand, who shared ...
Finding America: My Transformative Plein Air Painting Road Trip
In 2018, I went on a road trip across the U.S in search of “the real America,” documenting my travels through plein air painting. Little did I know this trip would change my life – and my painting career – forever.
Artist Spotlight: Cindy Harris
How do you find inspiration?
Cindy Harris: Nothing inspires my work quite like travel. Something happens when I’m in a new place: My heart bursts...
Painting Through Pain: My Journey to Art and Advocacy
Exploring art therapy for chronic pain: how watercolor painting helped one woman cope, heal, and raise awareness.
Recently, some of the top watercolor artists in the world gathered in Reno and Lake Tahoe to share their best plein air painting advice with hundreds of outdoor painters of all skill levels at the 2025 Plein Air Convention & Expo.