From the Latest Issue of PleinAir Magazine

Plein Air Magazine

Featured Artwork

Latest Articles

Painting with pastels - William Schneider, "After the Fiesta" (pastel, 16 x 20 in.)

How Pastel Makes You a Better Painter – In Any Medium

A master of both oil and pastel, William A. Schneider believes in cross-training. Here's why.
Shuang Li at Easel, in rural Northwestern China, plein air painting

The Worst Time of Day for Plein Air Painting

Before going outdoors, you need to understand the biggest difference between painting in the studio and plein air painting is ...
Suma CM - urban sketching at a local blood drive

Fresh Techniques for Sketching On the Move

In this guest blog post from Suma CM, discover how urban sketching connects you with local communities, keeps your drawing skills sharp, and brings fresh inspiration to your ...
Painting en plein air

11 Lessons From a Traveling Painter

Lori Putnam stops for a moment to share what a decade of painting en plein air and away from home 120 days of the year has taught her.
Beth Bathe plein air painting

En Plein Air Texas 2026: San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Announces Spirit of...

The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts invites the community to Spirit of the Ranch 2026, the culminating exhibition and art sale of this year's En Plein Air Texas (EPAT) Ranch Fellowship. Opening events will take place ...
Gil Dellinger artist obituary - at the easel - image courtesy of the Dellinger family

We Remember Gil Dellinger (1942-2026)

Celebrating the life, art, and legacy of master plein air painter Gil Dellinger: Read tributes from the art community, explore his remarkable career, and share your memories.
Artist Spike Ress

Spike Ress on Being a Painter vs an Artist, and More

John Hughes interviews Spike Ress on how being an artist is a philosophy, Spike's mobile art studio, and the artist saying he doesn't agree with.
Laguna Plein Air Invitational Artist Carl Bretzke (Minneapolis, MN) captures a Laguna October beach scene during unseasonably high temperatures (Photo by LPAPA's Event Photographer Mitch Ridder).

Sun, Heat, and Masterpieces: 28th Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational Happening Now

Thirty of the nation’s master plein air painters are turning Laguna Beach, California, into an open-air studio during the 28th Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational, now through ...
Salon Art Prize - First Place Overall: Bruce K. Lawes, “In Plain Sight,” oil, 30 x 20 in., realistic painting of an owl

Salon Winner in Plain Sight

Lance Rehs of Rehs Contemporary Galleries has revealed his selections for the August 2026 Salon Art Prize. The winners are ...
Painting of mountains - 3. Greg Scheibel, "Autumn in the Rockies," 2022, oil, 27 x 33 in., Private collection, Studio from plein air studies

11 Mountain Landscapes to Peak Your Interest

Browse an array of examples of how to paint mountains in this portfolio of contemporary paintings.
Bowen's approach changed dramatically in 2016 when she officially became a professional artist and decided to devote herself totally to plein air painting. Years later, she admits ...
For much of her career, Liane Whittum was known as a still life painter. Landscape called to her quietly but insistently, until plein air painting finally unlocked a way forward ...
Rich Gallego has been painting the landscape since 1996. His longtime love of nature's wild places has taken him far afield from ...
We’ve gathered 15 of our favorite pointers and strategies that can help you stay inspired and elevate your work. Whether you’re seeking to sharpen your skills or refresh your approach, these ideas offer a treasure trove of advice from some of the finest painters working today.

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